Growing up in Bali, I Made Djirna (b. 1957, Kedewatan, Ubud, Bali) was enchanted by illustrations of Balinese myths. Fascinated by the powerful depiction of good and evil spirits and the turmoil of the human soul, he began to draw and paint by the age of six. Djirna mastered traditional Balinese art styles as a member of the Young Artists’ Movement in Bali. As his artistic skills grew, Djirna left his hometown for the now Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia in Yogyakarta, where he spent several years exploring the various issues arising from globalisation and a changing Indonesian society. In this new environment, Djirna’s artistic spirit thrived and he began painting beyond what was traditionally beautiful and pleasing.