Blancography
Antonio Blanco was born on September 15, 1911, at Manila, capital of the Philippine Island. Both parents are Spanish hailing a fact that Blanco believes links him geographically and spiritually to Miro and Salvadore Dali. His father settled in Manila during the Spanish - American war where he attained prominence as a physician. Blanco was educated at the American Central School in Manila. During his high school years he loved the arts, literature and language classes but struggled in scientific subjects. No wonder he spoke six languages - Spanish, French, English, Tagalog, Indonesian and a bit of Balinese. After completing high school in Manila, Blanco studied at the National Academy of Art in New York under Sidney Dickinson. Even during those early formative years, Blanco concentrated on the human form, fascinated by the female body more than any other subject matter. To further his studies and ignite his traveling spirit, he traveled extensively throughout the world before he finally landed on Bali in 1952. The King of Ubud gave Blanco a piece of land to set up his home and studio in Campuan Ubud at the confluence of two sacred rivers. Blanco and his Balinese wife, celebrated dancer Ni Ronji, lived in their mountain retreat barely leaving it for the world outside. After a brief trip to the United States where Blanco secured many new collectors, the couple didn't leave their fantasy home at all.
Litograf
MASTERPICE
Ni Bawang (The Cinderella of Bali) Oil on canvas (around 1964) Collection of the Blanco MuseumThe legend of Cinderella is found in many forms all over the world. Here is my version: There are four girls; three are very ugly and egotistical. The Step Mother hates Cinderella, the fourth girl, and harasses her constantly. Cinderella finally leaves home and, when she reaches the mountains, Magic Birds befriend her and shower her with gifts of gold, diamonds and love. This legend ends with a Handsome Prince marrying Cinderella and they live happily ever after.
Balinese Dancer My temperature, our sensual-sense-of-humor, really went sky-high on this collaged poem. I present Jacko herewith selling hats (there is a mountain of hats upon his head). And, then, my poem tells the tale of how this black turned to white. Then I add that the bigger question, or issue, would be: "What would be the color of Michael penis?" Then I state that I am the only one who can answer that pertinent question - by lifting his black hatt off my frame - and, Lo! A tiny orange carrot is disclosed. Remember, there is a method to my madness... Jacko is
Eve's Apple is Still Intact
Oil on canvas (1967) Frame designed by Blanco
Collection of the Blanco MuseumGeometric shapes influence us greatly. Here this nude, enveloped within a horizontal oval, would affect us differently were it upright, square, or rectangular. The girl, the apple, the glass flask between her loins, voila! Another of Blanco's erotic fantasies.
Erotica Water color on paperErotic works of art could be taken seriously; but this painting with five collaged pink candles is just a lot of fun! The circle is the yoni and the topmost candle is obviously the linggam. The stability of my frame is attained by the pyramid effect of the candles. The woman is happy, indeed, surrounded by all this artistic conglomeration.
Portrait of I Kebak Oil on canvas (1967) Frame designed by Blanco Collection of the Blanco Museum
My wife's late father was Chief, re-elected, in his village in Bali for several years. The dominant expression of his eyes speaks of a man who could lead his village and have the people follow and trust him.
Bali Girl Oil on canvas
Now and then, when a painting is sold, and its collector eventually needs money, I buy it back such as this one to add to our permanent collection in our museum in Bali. This brown-skinned girl of Bali sports a turban upon her head of stylish rainbow colors. Frame, Blanco design.
Odalisque (A Corner in the Blanco studio)
Oil on canvas (1969)
Collection of the Blanco Museum
Odalisque is a Turkish word, which implies that (let us say) a Rajah maintains a concubine indoors in his Palace. The seeming disarray in this (oil on canvas) painting speaks of the Greek advice to create works that entail asymmetrical balance that is more enchanting than Balance.Asymmetry ONLY appears as disarray but? finds its center of Balance! I believe this, and have time-testedit in my works of Art?and Life!
Our Young painter
Mario Blanco, the second child of the famous artist Antonio Blanco, was born in Ubud - Bali on the 4th of July 1962. He has been surrounded by art from childhood. Without any doubt, his Father Antonio Blanco is the most famous artist of the island of Bali. The elder Blanco invited very early the young Mario to share, in his studio in Campuan, his great enthusiasm for art.
Mario painted his first oil at the young age of five and later chose to study art at the University of Udayana in Denpasar where he successfully graduated.
Inevitably the art of Mario has inherited two different origins. His Spanish Father introduced him to the European techniques of art and his Mother Ni Ronji, a famous Balinese dancer, gave him the native artistic feeling. Mario has certainly developed this intensively through his paintings expressing a real preference for a romantic impressionistic style.
Being the son of the "Fabulous Blanco", Mario faces a strong challenge but we can see from his artworks that he is trying to take distances from his father, expressing with talent elaborated landscaped where admirably emerge his own visions of Balinese atmosphere.
Paintings
Litograf
MASTERPICE
Ni Bawang (The Cinderella of Bali) Oil on canvas (around 1964) Collection of the Blanco MuseumThe legend of Cinderella is found in many forms all over the world. Here is my version: There are four girls; three are very ugly and egotistical. The Step Mother hates Cinderella, the fourth girl, and harasses her constantly. Cinderella finally leaves home and, when she reaches the mountains, Magic Birds befriend her and shower her with gifts of gold, diamonds and love. This legend ends with a Handsome Prince marrying Cinderella and they live happily ever after.
Balinese Dancer My temperature, our sensual-sense-of-humor, really went sky-high on this collaged poem. I present Jacko herewith selling hats (there is a mountain of hats upon his head). And, then, my poem tells the tale of how this black turned to white. Then I add that the bigger question, or issue, would be: "What would be the color of Michael penis?" Then I state that I am the only one who can answer that pertinent question - by lifting his black hatt off my frame - and, Lo! A tiny orange carrot is disclosed. Remember, there is a method to my madness... Jacko is
Eve's Apple is Still IntactOil on canvas (1967) Frame designed by Blanco
Collection of the Blanco MuseumGeometric shapes influence us greatly. Here this nude, enveloped within a horizontal oval, would affect us differently were it upright, square, or rectangular. The girl, the apple, the glass flask between her loins, voila! Another of Blanco's erotic fantasies.
Erotica Water color on paperErotic works of art could be taken seriously; but this painting with five collaged pink candles is just a lot of fun! The circle is the yoni and the topmost candle is obviously the linggam. The stability of my frame is attained by the pyramid effect of the candles. The woman is happy, indeed, surrounded by all this artistic conglomeration.
Portrait of I Kebak Oil on canvas (1967) Frame designed by Blanco Collection of the Blanco MuseumMy wife's late father was Chief, re-elected, in his village in Bali for several years. The dominant expression of his eyes speaks of a man who could lead his village and have the people follow and trust him.
Bali Girl Oil on canvasNow and then, when a painting is sold, and its collector eventually needs money, I buy it back such as this one to add to our permanent collection in our museum in Bali. This brown-skinned girl of Bali sports a turban upon her head of stylish rainbow colors. Frame, Blanco design.
Odalisque (A Corner in the Blanco studio)Oil on canvas (1969)
Collection of the Blanco Museum
Odalisque is a Turkish word, which implies that (let us say) a Rajah maintains a concubine indoors in his Palace. The seeming disarray in this (oil on canvas) painting speaks of the Greek advice to create works that entail asymmetrical balance that is more enchanting than Balance.Asymmetry ONLY appears as disarray but? finds its center of Balance! I believe this, and have time-testedit in my works of Art?and Life!
Mario Blanco, the second child of the famous artist Antonio Blanco, was born in Ubud - Bali on the 4th of July 1962. He has been surrounded by art from childhood. Without any doubt, his Father Antonio Blanco is the most famous artist of the island of Bali. The elder Blanco invited very early the young Mario to share, in his studio in Campuan, his great enthusiasm for art.
Mario painted his first oil at the young age of five and later chose to study art at the University of Udayana in Denpasar where he successfully graduated.Inevitably the art of Mario has inherited two different origins. His Spanish Father introduced him to the European techniques of art and his Mother Ni Ronji, a famous Balinese dancer, gave him the native artistic feeling. Mario has certainly developed this intensively through his paintings expressing a real preference for a romantic impressionistic style.
Being the son of the "Fabulous Blanco", Mario faces a strong challenge but we can see from his artworks that he is trying to take distances from his father, expressing with talent elaborated landscaped where admirably emerge his own visions of Balinese atmosphere.
Paintings
"MUSEUM" The Blanco museum is a place where you can savor Balinese life in motion, with a visit to the family temple or stroll through the gardens. Everywhere there are touches of Antonio Blanco's life. The artist's studio remains undisturbed, the unfinished painting still on the sunken easel. Women wander through the yard, in traditional Balinese dress carrying offerings. The visitor can see the delicate flower and palm leaf offerings being made in the courtyard. The Blanco family provides a personal tour of the museum and grounds.
History
The Blanco museum embodies Antonio Blanco's life and dreams. Built in his former home on the gentle hilltops of Campuan, Ubud since December 28th 1998, the Blanco Museum exudes a rococo charm. Many streams of Balinese life converge in this extraordinary building, as the museum site continues to represent the Balinese world as seen through Blanco's eyes.Blanco built the museum to commemorate his love for Bali and to house his important works. It is built on 20.000 square meters land in accordance with the precepts of the Hindu faith. The three stories are symbolic of Balinese faith, and represent the Upper, Middle and Lower worlds, where Gods, man and Demons all have a rightful place, hence, the topmost floor of the museum houses the artist's most esoteric works.
A huge green Italian marble archway in 15 meters height fronts the entrance steps, that are also guarded by two massive mythical stone dragons. The fountain in front of the entrance is an emissary of the waves of the sea, also connected to the whole cosmos. The museum has a pair of stairs symbolizing all duality in the material world. The second level of the museum represents the Middle world. It is here that Antonio Blanco's poetry is conserved.
"A thing of Beauty is a joy forever". It is painted on the wall of the gallery and becomes a reminder that the gallery has been a witness of the beauty of arts by Blanco's family. Nowadays the gallery presents a microcosm of Antonio Blanco's world and houses both of the maestro's works and Mario's.
Studio
Brushes scatter, the walls are covered by paintings and Beethoven symphony is audible vaguely - it is the atmosphere that will be found inside the studio where the master used to create his masterpieces. Frozen in time, the artist's studio is preserved exactly as on the last day Antonio Blanco painted in it. He has gone but the memory remains. Now the studio is opened to the public and it becomes the workplace of Mario, the maestro's only son.
Rondji Restaurant
After wander around within the museum, you can relax and enjoy the genuine Balinese atmosphere in the museum's café. The café serves a range of European and Asian menus and snacks, including Balinese traditional meals.
Amphitheatre
The amphitheatre was built for the Antonio Blanco's oldest daughter, Tjempaka, as an accolade for her performance. She used to be a dancer, an actress and also a model of several Blanco's paintings. Nowadays the amphitheater is being renovated to revive the Balinese performing arts. Balinese dances and dramas will be coming soon on The Blanco's Renaissance Museum's Amphitheater.
Family Temple
Temples are grand meeting place where the gods descend from their celestial abodes to meet with the community. Temples become the interface between the seen and unseen worlds of Balinese life. A series of gates divide the space into courtyards with specific functions. Within these courtyards are the various structures, which facilitate and give meaning to the activities of temple ceremony.
Gift Shop
The gift shop is open Monday through Sunday at 09.00 am - 05.00 pm, offering a wide array of Asian artifacts to suit all tastes. The special ones are handmade teapot and glass-platter with The Renaissance Museum's logo on them; all are made from ceramic. If you prefer something that you can wear, the gift shop also provides shirts and silk scarf. The merchandise have fair price both in US$ and Rupiah.
The gift shop is open Monday through Sunday at 09.00 am - 05.00 pm, offering a wide array of Asian artifacts to suit all tastes. The special ones are handmade teapot and glass-platter with The Renaissance Museum's logo on them; all are made from ceramic. If you prefer something that you can wear, the gift shop also provides shirts and silk scarf. The merchandise have fair price both in US$ and Rupiah.Make A Visit
Address
The Blanco Renaissance Museum
Campuan, Ubud
Bali - Indonesia
P.O. Box 80571
Phone. 0361-975502
Fax. 0361-975551
e-mail a-blanco@indo.net.id
Admission
Domestik. Rp.30.000 Internasional. Rp.50.000
Group tours or visits can be arranged through Visitor Services, 0361-975502
HoursThe museum is open to public from 9am to 5pm daily including Sunday and public holidays
The Cremation
