Bruce Granquist is an artist, cartographer, illustrator, writer and publisher. Bruce is originally from Chicago and has lived in Bali since 1986. Raising awareness of the art and culture of Bali with a portfolio of publications. Working as a cartographer, his illustrations have garnered an impressive following with publications such as Mapping Bali and Flora and Fauna of Bali.
Illustration is not about the illustrator; it is exclusively about the object being illustrated. This part of the process I call inhale, observing and faithfully absorbing the complexity of the world at large. ~Bruce Granquist
Illustrations and Abstraction
“Humanness is the active stance within the limits of forces larger than one’s self. It is the resignation and the light of being blown by the big wind while creating movements that express the individual’s unique flavour as a piece of broken symmetry.” ~Bruce Granquist It is through his abstract work that Bruce is most complete as an artist.
Bruce Granquist is most himself in the creation of his abstract works. These compositions have layers. They are fusions of calligraphy, pattern, and textures all combining and somehow revealing humour, observations and contemplations. In their surrender to the power of chance, they are never separate from spontaneous anomalies that occur during the process.
Bruce's Incredible Books
Mapping Bali is the creation of artist Bruce Granquist to record his visual relationship to the island which has been his home for over 30 years. Originally conceived as a straightforward mapping project that produced a detailed large-format topographic of the island, the scope of the project soon dived deep into the essence of the Balinese island soul.
This homage to Balinese people and culture encompasses the unique characteristics that make the island so special; topography, architecture, heritage sites, unusual landscapes, cultural traditions and spirits. Through shared stories with the people he meets in villages throughout the island, this original and intriguing book describes through images and words a personal and deeply felt celebration of the Balinese people.
Inventing Art The Paintings of Batuan Bali by Bruce Granquist. This book aims to make Batuan paintings accessible to viewers from outside Bali. It does this by explaining some of the cultural codes the paintings contain and the narrative linking them to the rich Balinese and Southeast Asian traditions.
This book expands our understanding of Batuan paintings and helps us to realise that much can be familiar in art from a distant place.
Credits:
Art of Bruce Granquist represented by Sawidji Studio & Gallery