Transitions by Nikola Kostic is a photographic exhibition playing with shadows and paint, from kite festivals to ceremonies in Bali. Bali becomes a source of inspiration for Nikola, which takes us on his journey of discovery and finding the balance between shadow and light.
Born in Belgrade, Serbia in 1973, Nikola moved to Bali in 1998 after receiving an offer to help his uncle who was making jewelry. His uncle gave him a camera, which opened a new chapter in his life and career in photography. Nikola began to explore photography as a way to observe and document life, capture moments, and create a visual journal of his life in Bali and beyond. “People say through the lens, people see less, while for me, I see more. It enables me to focus and tune into life and what happens around me,” said Nikola Kostic.
Nikola started to print his artworks on clear acrylic plates on top of a white background, creating shadows reminiscent of Wayang Kulit or shadow puppets shown across Indonesia. In Bali, shadow puppetry is a form of storytelling, entertainment, and sacred rituals. During nighttime performances, the puppets’ shadows are cast against a white cloth stretched on bamboo and lit by an oil lamp above the puppeteer’s head. For the Dalang, the puppeteer serves as a priest, in which each performance conveys a message, artistic skill, and religious knowledge.
Nikola uses color to add further dimension to images by painting on the back of his acyclic photos. A technique that harks back to traditional glass painting has existed in Indonesia for centuries. This long tradition of glass painting is found in several regions, namely Solo, Yogyakarta, Cirebon, and Bali. In Bali, the art of glass painting is commonly found in the village of Nagasepaha, near Singaraja. The early glass painting in Nagasepaha focuses on Wayang-related themes, such as fragments from the stories of Ramayana. Today, it has evolved to highlight moments of daily life.
Guests can enjoy the art and installations adorning the interior of the John Hardy Gallery, Seminyak, where there will also be workshops on glass painting and social events bringing the community together to celebrate art and Indonesian culture.
The exhibition runs until 20 February 2024 and is free entry.
For more information, please call +62 361-9344-244 or +62 811-3811-8003.