Practicing for Nyepi
Oil on Panel
16 x 20"
2019

Trouvaille. Something lovely discovered by chance.

Practicing for Nyepi was painted from a photo of the children of Ubud, Bali. They were practicing for the upcoming Nyepi celebration. Legong dancers open their eyes wide to simulate being in a trance. It was amazing watching these kids practice. I was going to miss Nyepi but saw the big "Ogogo" effigies being built for the parades. Giant monsters are carried in the parades and burnt the night before Nyepi.

The people of Bali believe that evil spirits fly above the island at night during Nyepi. All lights are out, no electricity and only candles. The airports are closed. All this was in hopes that the spirits would think that there was no one on the island and fly away somewhere else.

Bali is beautiful.