Bali Dogs as Art

(7/5/2004)

Australian artist Deborah Williams will be exhibiting a series of etchings and linocuts focusing entirely on the position occupied by dogs in the daily life of Bali. "Bali Dogs as Art" - an art exhibition, traces its roots to Williams' first visit to Bali in 2002 and her decision to volunteer with the Yudisthira Bali Street Dog Foundation. During her one-month stay in Bali, she undertook a project photographing the life of Bali's dogs on the island's streets, beaches and in local villages.

As many artists have discovered over the years, a visit to Bali can have profound influence on your future body of work. Thus, when Deborah returned to her native Australia she began creating etchings and linocuts all loosely organized around the theme "Bali's Dogs as Art." Proving true the old adage that "every dog must have its day," Deborah's work has acquired a cult-following in Sydney and Melbourne, prompting her to make a return visit to Bali where, once again, she's volunteering to help the Bali Street Dog Foundation while also squeezing in time to teach the art of print-making to local teenagers.

Apparently Deborah's students have absorbed her interest in Bali's canines, producing pictures of hairless dogs, homeless puppies and – their favorite "Tripod" the three-legged dog.

Some of the children's wood cut prints will displayed alongside Deborah William's at a two-day exhibition of "Bali Dogs as Art" at Grant's Gallery House on July 10 and 11, 2004. The exhibition opens July 10 with a reception from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Jalan Sekawaru No. 18 in Sanur. Proceeds will benefit the Yudisthira Bali Street Dog Foundation.

"Every time I look at Deb's work I am moved by the way she captures the essence of a day-in-the-life of the Bali dogs," saaid Sherry Grant. As a co-founder of the Yudisthira – Bali Street Dog Foundation, she should know. The Foundation treats thousands of Bali dogs annually. Last year 13,000 of Bali's street, beach and village dogs were treated, neutered and/or spayed by the organization.