Finding a Home for the A Small Space Show in Bali: Meeting Luh’De and Tat Art Space

When I first arrived in Ubud, I reached out to Luh’De Gita, a painter whose work I admire. She explores Bali’s challenges with overtourism and its impact on local culture. I wasn’t sure if she would reply, but she did, and we met at a cosy coffee shop. Luh’De was immediately on board to host A Small Space On Tour.

I mentioned a pottery shop I had visited with the kids as a possible venue, but Luh’De insisted the show deserved a proper gallery space. “Leave it with me,” she said. A few days later, she contacted me with exciting news. She had spoken to the curator at Tat Art Space in Denpasar, who loved the concept and agreed to fit us into their schedule.

Tat Art Space is a contemporary gallery and creative hub in the heart of Denpasar, known for championing emerging artists and cross-cultural collaborations. It regularly hosts exhibitions, workshops, and community events, with a strong focus on dialogue and experimentation. The team behind the space are passionate about building connections between Balinese artists and the wider international art world, which made it a perfect fit for A Small Space On Tour.

The exact space was still to be confirmed as they needed to rearrange a few things, but Tat Art Space was efficient. By the end of the week, we had firm plans for a two-week show from 17th to 30th May in a lovely air con exhibition spot, in there main building.

We always ask a guest artist to create work to exhibit alongside the collective, and Luh’De made two beautiful postcards in time for the show.

Just days before opening, I rode my moped an hour from Ubud to Denpasar, carrying the full portfolio and postcards between my feet. Alongside Luh’De and curator Yurison Suryantara, we spent the day installing the show. It was hard work and a steep learning curve but deeply rewarding.

Throughout, I kept the collective updated with photos and videos, while Jen Orpin in the UK managed social media and compiled all the artists’ info for print.

Opening night on 17th May was a joyful, nerve wrecking experience. It was wonderful to meet Luh’De, her friends, and fellow artists exhibiting nearby. I was buzzing with nerves, but messages from the collective kept me grounded and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. It was so exciting to share and talk about all the collectives work and individual profiles with people from a different part of the world.

Here are some pictures and videos from the install and exhibition. A huge thanks to guest artist Luh’De and curator Yurison for believing in the vision, stepping in on short notice, and making me feel so welcome.

Artists exhibiting in ‘A Small Space On Tour’ (above): Guest Artist Luh’De Gita, Laura Pedley, Rachel Addis, Jude Wainwright, Peter Davis, Laura Nathan, Jen Orpin, Julie Cassel, Sophie Nixon, Ruth Fildes, Hannah Wooll, Sam Owen Hull, Sarah Feinmann, Margaret Cahill, Nan Collantine, Sandra Robinson.