I Dewa Putu Mokoh

Indonesia

1936 – 2010

I Dewa Putu Mokoh was born in Pengosekan, Ubud in 1936 as the eldest of six children. At fifteen he began studying drawing, despite opposition from his father, a respected undagi or traditional Balinese architect. Guided by his uncles, the artists I Gusti Ketut Kobot and I Gusti Made Baret, and encouraged by Dutch painter Rudolf Bonnet, Mokoh moved away from epic narratives toward more personal themes.

His work breathes intimacy, sensuality, and a quiet nostalgia for childhood, often with a touch of humor. Gentle colors, clean lines, and uncluttered compositions became his hallmark, allowing him to capture ordinary human experiences with striking simplicity. The painting above reflects this approach, presenting a scene of everyday life rendered with warmth and restraint.

Through this unique vision, Mokoh redefined the art of Pengosekan and brought Balinese painting to an international stage, including exhibitions at the Venice Biennale (1993) and the Fukuoka Art Museum (1995). By blending wayang-inspired forms with contemporary sensibilities, he remains a pioneering figure whose art continues to shape the story of modern Balinese painting.