I Gusti Nyoman Lempad was a Balinese artist that lived to approximately 116 years. It’s not know exactly when he was born, but it was around 1862 and he died in 1978.
The way he died is quite remarkable, it is well documented that he chose the day on which he was going to die months in advance and on that day he called his descendants together, asked them to bath and dress him, told them their inheritance, bade them farewell and then died. The day he chose was a holy day.
The following footage is from when Lawrence and Lorne Blair visited Lempad just prior to his death, and the subsequent burial ceremonies.
Lempad a stone sculptor, architect and artist produced hundreds of linear drawings, built temples and buildings was a prolific artist. He was illiterate, but had brilliant ideas and intellectual discussions with fellow artists. He was a very generous man and would often give his paintings away, perhaps this is explained by a a quote that has been attributed to him, “I used to have lots of money until it got rotten. I was not too happy. Happiness did not count on much money you owned but it’s inside your heart.”
With all of his artistic abilities, it is his drawings that have made Lempad well known. When he was in his 60’s Lempad was given paper and material by Walter Spies which enabled him to reach new artistic heights.
Lempads house is located right on Jl. Raya Ubud, the main street and is almost opposite Nomad restaurant. There is no admission fee or any staff on duty. Lempad’s family still live there, so it feels more like a house than a museum.
You can see some of his works of art at the Neka Museum
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