About Us

Moja and Lisa

We, the owners of Désa Arts (an artist from Bali and an American with a love of Southeast Asian art & design) have led a bicultural life for nearly 20 years. Over that time, we have developed special relationships with local artisans in Bali and beyond.

All of our products are hand-selected for quality with an eye for authenticity and innovation. We are committed to traditional methods and ecologically sound materials.

The gallery's name Désa means village in Indonesian and reflects our desire to bring people of our urban village together. Through rotating local art shows, cultural events and community gatherings, this desire is quickly becoming a reality.

Please see our terms & conditions and privacy statement

Moja

I Madé Moja is a Balinese painter skilled in the traditional ink and watercolor technique of his native village of Batuan. Moja's work has been exhibited internationally and featured in numerous books on the art and culture of Bali.

Since coming to the US, Moja has branched out artistically. In addition to experimenting with new themes in his painting, he has become a primary dancer with Gamelan Sekar Jaya, an acclaimed Balinese orchestra and dance group. Moja has also worked extensively with Shadowlight Productions, a non-profit theater company based in San Francisco that takes its inspiration from classical Indonesian “wayang kulit” (shadow puppet theater).

Visit the Fine Arts section of our Boutique for information about purchasing Moja's prints.

Check our calendar of events to see when Moja’s art will be on display in our gallery space.

Lisa

Born in Thailand, Lisa has always been intrigued by Eastern culture. As a student, she participated in a language and cultural studies program in Bali where she learned traditional painting and met Moja. This was the start of a love affair with Southeast Asia that has spanned 20 years and taken her back to Bali and to many different parts of the region. She later became a travel consultant, customizing unique travel experiences for others.

After several years of success in the corporate world, Lisa returned to her passion. She wanted to help preserve the traditional arts of Southeast Asia while supporting new forms of expression. Désa Arts has partnered with Sayang Holidays in San Francisco to facilitate experiential/educational travel in Southeast Asia and group tours focusing on the arts.