Close by to Threads Of Life off of Jl. Raya Ubud is another original place called Symon’s.

I read about this place in my guide book and it is a gallery located further along Jl. Raya Ubud just past the turn off for Penestanan. Symon is an American artist from the Midwest who has lived in Bali since 1972 and has a taste for the exotic. Outside his place is sign saying ‘ Danger Art’.

Symon’s paintings use very vivid colors like Arie Smit’s and he seems to favor Balinese boys in various stages of undress as his subject matter. The building itself is an artist’s dream, large, 2 storey, plenty of light and places for hanging the art. The view from the upstairs loft was great too overlooking the paddies.

I felt like I was walking through Andy Warhol’s bedroom, with statues, paintings and other creations around every corner. Upstairs I saw 2 local artists working away sitting on the floor.

I don’t think I’d be giving away too many secrets by saying that Symon is gay like the majority of the other famous foreign artists in Bali’s history. In fact there’s a photo of him in a book with Arie Smit (Symon is on the right). I asked the man guy there if everyone was gay because of the predominant subject matter and he said “No only one guy.”

You can check out Symon’s in about 20 minutes if you are quick, although there is a lot of stuff to look at. There’s no admission fee you just walk in. The place is open everyday from 8am -5pm.

Symon is an original and you might enjoy a visit to his gallery.

0361 974721

Close by to Threads Of Life off of Jl. Raya Ubud is another original place called Symon’s.

I read about this place in my guide book and it is a gallery located further along Jl. Raya Ubud just past the turn off for Penestanan. Symon is an American artist from the Midwest who has lived in Bali since 1972 and has a taste for the exotic. Outside his place is sign saying ‘ Danger Art’.

Symon’s paintings use very vivid colors like Arie Smit’s and he seems to favor Balinese boys in various stages of undress as his subject matter. The building itself is an artist’s dream, large, 2 storey, plenty of light and places for hanging the art. The view from the upstairs loft was great too overlooking the paddies.

I felt like I was walking through Andy Warhol’s bedroom, with statues, paintings and other creations around every corner. Upstairs I saw 2 local artists working away sitting on the floor.

I don’t think I’d be giving away too many secrets by saying that Symon is gay like the majority of the other famous foreign artists in Bali’s history. In fact there’s a photo of him in a book with Arie Smit (Symon is on the right). I asked the man guy there if everyone was gay because of the predominant subject matter and he said “No only one guy.”

You can check out Symon’s in about 20 minutes if you are quick, although there is a lot of stuff to look at. There’s no admssion fee you just walk in. The place is open everyday from 8am -5pm.

Symon is an original and you might enjoy a visit to his gallery.

0361 974721

My last visit at the end of my Ubud trip was a perfect counter balance to Symon’s. I stopped by a musical instrument shop called ‘Krisna Bamboo Music Art Shop’ on Jl. Hanuman owned and operated by the lovely Agung (she can play my drum anytime).

Agung has previously told me her best drums were 650,000rp and when I asked again she said 800,000rp. I showed her the note in my organizer with 650,000rp. “I just said 800,000rp because that is what I tell my staff to say…okay you can have for 650,000rp” she said. One of the best sounding drums was a mid sized one made of Jack Fruit wood. I know the way to get a drum would be to find the place they make the larger ones rather than going to tourist shops but it is fun trying them out.

Krisna Bamboo Music Art Shop
Jl. Hanuman
Ubud