Buying Balinese Paintings in Ubud: Questions to Ask
Ubud is a place where many visitors think about taking a painting home. It can be a wonderful memento, and it can also be a decision made too quickly in a hot shop. This guide is about buying with a clear head. It is general advice for any seller, and it comes from a family business that also has paintings at its shop, so treat it as practical questions, not a sales pitch. Nothing here is a guarantee about any individual work.
Look before you buy
Indonesia Tourism lists Ubud’s art museums, galleries and craft market among the town’s interests, which means there is plenty to compare. The ARMA Museum describes itself as showing traditional and contemporary paintings by Balinese, Indonesian and foreign artists. A museum visit is a way to train your eye, and it is not evidence about the origin of anything you see for sale elsewhere. Seeing a range first helps you know what you like.
Decide what you are looking for
Before you speak to a seller, think about a few things:
- Subject: landscapes, ceremonies, scenes from daily life, animals or something abstract.
- Style: detailed and traditional, or looser and modern.
- Size: measure the wall, and think about luggage if you are flying.
- Mood: a painting you will live with should still appeal in a few months.
Questions to ask any seller
About the artist
Who painted it? Is the person the seller, a friend, a family member or someone else? Can the seller tell you anything about the artist? Be wary of vague answers if the artist matters to you.
About the work
What materials were used, and how was it made? What size is it, with or without a frame? Is it one of a kind? Is the painting dry and finished, and is it ready to travel?
About the price and payment
How is the price set, and is there any room for discussion? What payment methods does the seller accept? What do you receive as a record, such as a note of the artist’s name or a receipt? Ask for the essentials in a message or a note so that you can keep them.
About getting it home
How will it be protected? Can it be rolled or does it need to stay flat? Does a framed work travel differently? Rules about taking art out of a country, and about customs and tax at home, are matters for the relevant authorities and carriers. Ask them, not the seller, and do it before you buy if a large piece is involved.
Comparing a shop with a gallery
A gallery may offer a curated range and information about its artists. A small shop may offer a more personal conversation and the chance to ask about the person who painted. Neither is better for everyone. What matters is whether the seller answers your questions clearly and whether you feel comfortable. If you feel hurried, step outside and think about it.
Do not rush
Take photographs, with permission, and go away to think. A painting that you still want the next day is a better choice than one you were pushed to buy. If you are comparing several, keep notes on the size, the subject and what each seller told you.
About our paintings
The paintings at our shop on Jalan Bisma are by Ngurah and a friend. We do not have an online gallery, and what is in the shop changes, so the way to find out is to ask. Our paintings page explains how to get in touch. You can message us with the subject and size you have in mind, and we will tell you what we have. You can pay for our paintings by card or cash. We have not described a packing or shipping service, so if you need that, ask us what is possible before you decide.
Visiting the shop
If you would like to see a work in person, message us first so we can tell you what is in the shop. The contact page shows how to find us. While you are in Ubud, you may also like to look at a half-day Ubud outing if you want company and a driver to visit museums and galleries.