The Tea Stain Series
The Tea Stain Series
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The Tea Series, initially born during the lockdowns of the Covid19 Pandemic, isn't just a process of random staining embracing and infused with its own personality but an evolving creative anchor which Gede Austana uses to realign as an artist on a conceptual and visually philosophical level. Its more immediate nature differs from his core canvas-based artworks, which can take months or even years to complete. The Tea Series allows Gede to challenge, experiment and test theories, later carried into his larger works. All with complete freedom and without compromising any of the quality and precision he is known for.
Series 1
Series 1
In the beginning of 2020 I embarked on a year long world trip of discovery, personal and creative exploration. Although ultimately doomed (COVID19) the experience gave rise to the Tea Stain series created during the lockdown of 2020-21.
"Clouded"
2020Ink & Watercolour on Paper
29.7 x 21cm
"Sphinx"
2020Ink & Watercolour on Paper
21 x 29.7cm
"Untitled #1"
2020Ink & Watercolour on Paper
21 x 29.7cm
"Untitled #4"
2020Ink & Watercolour on Paper
29.7 x 21cm
This set of 15 ink and watercolour images on tea-stained watercolour paper embodies, not only a time of unrestrained creative exploration, but also a time of intense personal turmoil amplified by the isolation of the 2020-22 pandemic.
The true value of the ongoing Tea Series is the way that it translates to Gede Austana’s larger and more deliberate canvas works.
The lessons learned and the gambles taken within the Tea Series clear the way for newly found and renewed confidence in a still evolving offering. The trust in intuition coupled with determination result in artworks that cross and reset boundaries.
These figurative paintings, generally larger in scale, are meditative commitments that span weeks, months and sometimes years in their creation. The build up of such discipline and passion result in energised works unlike any other.
Series 2
Series 2
This new series of ink & watercolours on tea stained paper are an affirmation of his creative instinct and meditations on his current reality, condition and revelations around personal, social and global issues. All in quietly fantastic figurative compositions that are subtly layered with topics including diasporic conflicts of home, family, community and culture. His intense colours, as always, challenge the expected and convey an emotional intensity juxtaposed onto often calm and almost solemn figures and expressions.
"The Barong"
2026Ink & Watercolour on Paper
70 x 50cm
"Leluhur Yang Terjual"
2025Ink & Watercolour on Paper
76 x 56cm
"Mind Tree"
2026Ink & Watercolour on Paper
29.7 x 42cm
"Nidra"
2026Ink & Watercolour on Paper
42 x 29.7cm
The new Tea Series of 13 artworks marks another significant period of internal reflection and realignment which occurred after the success of the “Homecoming | Kembali Pulang” exhibition of 2025.
The result, an inner turmoil that questioned my lifetime romanticism of Bali, one of the foundations of my sense of self and my art. How do I fit in here? How do I fit in anywhere? What is the path that I now walk? These are the questions that spawned this next chapter in the Tea Series.
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