Don Antonio Blanco - A Spanish painter who was captivated by Indonesian beauty

The Jakarta Post, the biggest English language newspaper in Indonesia, published a feature introducing Antonio Blanco museum in Ubud, Bali. This year the museum turns eleven and it is still a must-see place in Bali. The target audience for this article is expatriates living in Indonesia who are interested in culture.

Antonio Blanco was one of the prominent foreign artists to make Bali his home. He married a Balinese dancer and had four children. He was recognized nationally and internationally, receiving numerous awards such as The Most Popular Painting Award (USA), The Cannon Prize (New York City) and Cruz de Caballero by King Juan Carlos I.

He landed in Bali in 1952. The King of Ubud granted him 2 hectares of land on the spot where two streams come together creating the Campuhan River to build his home. He also built his studio-mansion on this land and turned it into a museum in 1999. Ironically, he died just before its inauguration.

Simon Marcus Gower, The Jakarta Post contributor, uses descriptive details in explaining the museum environment to cause a reader to feel and not merely see words on a page. He gives detailed information on its size, appearance, values and atmosphere, certain feelings that can be sensed by visitors. He also provides the museum image which was taken by himself to support his writing. 

His article gives clear information about the museum, its history and Blanco's background. He also points out an activity at the museum that will attract visitors, a good attempt to persuade reader to visit the museum. Mario, Blanco's son, is also mentioned by Gower as Blanco's successor whose studio resides right next to that of his renowned father's. He concludes his article, stating that Blanco museum has sentimental value that is simultaneously interesting to the mind and calming to the spirit.

 http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/06/a-quirky-museum-a-welcoming-home.html