Ida Bagus Rekha Bayutha (b. 2001, Gianyar), known as Ib Rekha, is a Ubud-born painter who lives and works in Mas Village. His interest in art began in primary school, when he started drawing his favourite manga characters. This early fascination eventually led him to Kamasan painting, a tradition he first encountered by experimenting with its distinctive visual style. His curiosity soon grew into a deeper commitment to understanding the tradition, leading him to study at the Batubulan School of Fine Arts.
After graduating from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali and completing his master’s degree between 2022 and 2024, Rekha deepened his exploration of traditional visual language and its relevance today. His practice is informed by his early study of classical Kamasan painting, which he began at the age of ten under the guidance of the late Nyoman Mandra (1964–2018).
In 2025, he founded Khatha Studio, a platform exploring the stories behind paintings, journeys to art sites, and creative processes. His research and encounters with Balinese artistic traditions continue to shape his work, particularly in the way he brings together narrative, form, and colour.
Through his practice, Rekha seeks to honour Balinese painting traditions while opening up new ways of engaging with them today. By revisiting ancestral visual forms and questioning how heritage is valued, he searches for meanings that can speak to the present.
Bahasa Indonesia
Ida Bagus Rekha Bayutha (lahir 2001, Gianyar) atau yang dikenal sebagai Ib Rekha adalah seorang pelukis asal Ubud yang tinggal dan berkarya di Desa Mas. Ketertarikannya pada seni rupa bermula sejak masa sekolah dasar ketika ia mencoba menggambar karakter manga favoritnya. Minat itu berlanjut hingga tanpa sengaja ia meniru gaya seni lukis Kamasan dan kemudian bertekad mendalaminya. Keinginan tersebut membawanya menempuh pendidikan di Sekolah Menengah Seni Rupa, Batubulan.
Setelah menyelesaikan studi di Institut Seni Indonesia Bali dan melanjutkan pendidikan magister pada 2022 hingga 2024, Rekha kembali menemukan ketertarikannya dalam menggali esensi serta bahasa visual tradisi. Pendekatan ini lahir dari ingatannya mendalami seni lukis klasik Kamasan sejak usia sepuluh tahun di bawah bimbingan Nyoman Mandra (1964–2018). Pada 2025 ia mendirikan Khatha Studio yang berfokus pada cerita di balik sebuah lukisan, perjalanan ke situs seni, dan proses kerja kreatif. Proses pencarian dan usaha membagikan berbagai temuan tersebut memengaruhi cara ia membangun karya, terutama dalam menggabungkan narasi, bentuk, dan warna yang berkaitan dengan beragam gaya seni lukis Bali.
Melalui eksplorasi tersebut, Rekha berupaya tidak hanya menghormati seni lukis tradisional Bali, tetapi juga memberikan ruang baru bagi seni tersebut dalam konteks hari ini. Ia mempertanyakan kembali cara kita menghargai warisan leluhur dan menelusuri bentuk-bentuk visual yang pernah ada untuk menemukan makna yang relevan dengan zaman.
