Bali 1952: Through the Lens of Liu Kang – The Trip to Java and Bali by Four Singapore Pioneering Artists

This publication sheds new light on a pivotal moment in Singapore’s art history—the 1952 sketching trip to Java and Bali by four China-born artists who had settled in Singapore. The journey inspired a groundbreaking exhibition held in 1953 titled Bali, which became a milestone in the development of modern art in the region. Yet, until now, little was known about the details of their travels.

Bali 1952 draws from over 1,000 photographs taken by Liu Kang during the seven-week journey, presenting more than 250 carefully curated images alongside excerpts from his private diary and letters. These evocative black-and-white photographs capture daily life, landscapes, and portraits with the sensitivity of an artist’s eye, offering a rare visual chronicle of 1950s Indonesia. Liu’s lens preserves not only the artistic vision of the trip but also a historical moment that shaped the trajectory of Southeast Asian modern art.

Publication Details:

• Author: Gretchen Liu
• Publisher: National Library Board Singapore in partnership with World Scientific Publishing (2025)
• Language: English
• Format: Hardcover (no dust jacket, as issued)
• Pages: 298 pages
• Dimensions: 24 x 28.5 cm
• ISBN: 9789819409501

Condition:

• Book: New.
• Dust Jacket: Not issued.