A paradise island, an island of demons, a tropical haven: Bali is known as everything but the centre of the Indonesian art scene. Undoubtedly, there is more contemporary buzz in Jakarta, home to fairs, galleries and museums, Yogyakarta, where all the major artists have big studios, and Bandung, where new talents and critical discourses emerge. That said, Bali is still home to a thriving community of local artists with international pedigrees, all actively working from the island, opening their studios to visitors and fostering a local art community.

“The Balinese art scene is different from Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bandung, as the Balinese art scene has long been supported and fuelled by its strong tourism industry,” says Suriawati Qiu Chunyang, founder of CushCush Gallery, which alternates between shows by local artists and activities geared towards the community. Given this link to tourism, it’s only natural that spaces in Bali tend to create ties between the local art scene and the international realm.

• Tags: Indonesia, Issue 35, Naima Morelli