ARTOTEL Sanur Bali is proud to once again collaborate with a Balinese artist to present an art exhibition titled Voyage of Becoming. This exhibition marks Sakde Oka's first solo exhibition, held at ARTSPACE from September 12 to November 15, 2025. The Voyage of Becoming series by Sakde Oka is a culmination of her personal and artistic journey, exploring and reflecting upon the self, both internally and externally. Through this transformative exploration, Sakde delves into the relationship between himself and his surroundings, nature, and the universe in a holistic manner.

In her creative process, Sakde plants seeds of ideas through thread. She encapsulates her emotions in the woven embroidery, expressing her feelings with every stitch. With diligence and patience, this process becomes a space for reflection, weaving intuition, and uncovering more honest and personal ideas. The physical engagement in weaving and embroidering thread becomes a practice that unites brain and thought, soul and feeling. The act of embroidery — the binding of fabric and thread — mirrors the soul’s inseparability from the body, and vice versa. These are reflected through Sakde’s work, which is personal, intuitive, and full of meaning.

Sakde uses elements of nature as a medium of expression, incorporating landscapes and natural ornaments that reflect the universal traits influencing human behaviour and nature. This connection between humans and nature is deeply rooted in Hindu teachings, particularly the concept of Bhuana Agung (macrocosm) and Bhuana Alit (microcosm). The relationship between humans and nature is not merely symbolic but essential and spiritual. Humans are not seen as separate from the universe, but as integral parts of the cosmic whole. From this understanding, Sakde’s works are rich in metaphorical and reflective visual language.

Her artworks show an evolution that can be divided into two phases. There is a noticeable artistic shift from her earlier series — which featured more colourful backgrounds — to a more muted landscape dominated by grey tones. This change signifies a new artistic direction, particularly in the exploration of form and colour choices, while also indicating the connection between mind and body, opening space for deeper development and experimentation. The Symphony of Rain series marks the starting point of this experimental process. Sakde begins to release the conceptual constraints of her previous works, as seen in The Unbinding — a piece symbolising release, as a path to renewal and personal openness in the creative process. The choice of grey backgrounds in her work is no coincidence but a conscious artistic decision. Grey symbolises simplicity, reducing the visual landscape and allowing the main elements of the work to emerge more honestly and intimately.

As an introduction to her latest phase, Sakde presents the work Drift of Nectar, using the metaphor of pollen dispersal as a symbol of the wisdom the universe offers in the creative process. Her exploration continues in Where Water Burns in Colour, where the human figure is not just a physical representation, but a symbol of a life that constantly changes and evolves. In Vessel Beneath the Tree, the body carries a vessel symbolising knowledge and wisdom — things gathered and absorbed as provisions for the journey of life. Through these two works, the body becomes a vessel through which vital processes occur: it becomes a medium to record refraction, reflection, and transformation itself — a process that continually flows within the constant stream of time.

Sakde’s closeness to her cultural identity brings her subconscious thoughts into the Balinese Hindu values represented in her works. In The Inner Pruner, Sakde presents a symbolization of Sad Ripu — the six enemies within humans — through the act of cutting branches, indicating the control of these negative traits to make space for new growth. Meanwhile, in Perjamuan Sunyi, Sakde brings forth the Balinese Hindu belief in Kanda Pat — four siblings born with every human being. Four empty chairs symbolically represent their presence: unseen yet facing one another, seemingly empty and silent, but internally engaged in protection and conversation.

Three Graces is the concluding piece of the series. Three female figures are shown together, holding hands — a simple gesture that represents not only individual presence, but a collective entity that connects and supports one another. This work reminds us that the journey of becoming is not merely an internal one, but also involves external influences — the presence of others, human relationships, and dynamics beyond the physical self. By presenting Three Graces as a closing work, Sakde affirms that transformation is not a straight, closed line, but an ever-open circle — always inviting new connections, new understandings, and new togetherness.

Agus Ade Surya Wirawan, General Manager of ARTOTEL Sanur - Bali, stated, "Once again, ARTOTEL Sanur is proud to collaborate with Balinese artist Sakde Oka, who expresses her ideas and feelings through embroidery, using strands of thread to create works that are personal, intuitive, and meaningful. We hope this exhibition can be enjoyed by hotel guests, non-hotel guests, and all art enthusiasts."

The 'Voyage of Becoming' art exhibition is open to the public and will run from September 12 to November 15, 2025.