In this sumptuous book, more than 330 full-color photographs and an illuminating text present an outstanding survey of Bali's distinctive style. From picturesque bamboo dwellings to contemporary Bali homes, from traditional objects and art forms to handicrafts, the essence of Bali's fascinating culture is revealed. Here are traditional dwellings that preserve the best of the past, traditional structures reinterpreted for modern living, and lush tropical gardens, pools or temples, that dot the Balinese landscape, adorned with a host of imaginary animals, gods, and sorcerers amid floral arabesques and baroque motifs; puri, or palaces, embellished with elaborate carvings and gilded woodwork; and a profusion of decorative and monumental wood and stone sculptures and accessories that point to the Balinese innate sense of artistry and aesthetics and their abounding energy in creating beautiful things. Whether in the temple, village, or community, Balinese style as embodied in the all-pervading artistry of the Balinese people predominates.

About the Contributor(s)

Indonesian-born Rio Helmi took up photography professionally in 1978 and spent the next five years working in Indonesian media. Since 1983 his photographs have appeared in regional magazines, GEO, The New York Times Magazine, and Vogue. His work has also been published in numerous books, including River of Gems: A Borneo Journal. He lives in Bali.

Barbara Walker is a design consultant to several museums in the United States, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim museum in New York, and for twenty years was president of the international design firm Interior Design Concepts. Her love of Bali stems from a seven-year period of living on the island. She now lives in Vermont and Florida.