Portrait Of A Girl: Balinese Naïve Art By The Colorist Ngurah Kk

This stunning expressionist portrait, signed "Ngurah," is the work of the renowned Balinese artist I Gusti Agung Ngurah Kresna Kepakisan, commonly known as Ngurah KK (born in 1947).

Ngurah KK is a pioneer of the "Young Artist Style" from the village of Penestanan in Ubud. Although this style is often characterized by flat, vibrant narratives, it is also recognized for its more experimental and textural works. This piece showcases a thick impasto technique, in which thick layers of paint are applied so that the brushstrokes remain visible, giving the portrait a sculptural and three-dimensional quality. The painting depicts a young woman with a direct and introspective gaze—often a central theme in Balinese portraiture—which seeks to connect the subject to her cultural heritage and her “indomitable spirit.”

Ngurah KK’s works are highly regarded and have been featured in international exhibitions, such as “Naïve Art Paints Paradise” at the 101 Bali Oasis Sanur in early 2026. His art is known for its “visual honesty” and its deep roots in Balinese-Hindu philosophy.

This portrait features beautiful colors and great expressive power.

Dimensions
with frame: 55 x 43.5 cm