Vol.2 “NEW DAWN — Where Manga Meets Fine Art”

Simply breathtaking.

On July 21, the exhibition “NEW DAWN” by Japanese artist Daisuke Ishizuka officially opened at W Senses Grill Dining & Bar, located on the first floor of Watermark Hotel & Spa Bali.

After being created and completed through the live painting sessions in the lobby, the artworks were brought together and displayed throughout the restaurant. Guests could enjoy their meals with the artwork just steps away — where extraordinary artistic expression becomes part of an everyday experience.

What makes Ishizuka’s work particularly captivating is the way it draws from his roots in manga while possessing the depth and powerful presence of fine art.

Bold brushwork and vivid colors fill each canvas. His expressive style seems to release the passion, emotion, and inner conflicts of the human experience directly onto the canvas. For many guests encountering his work for the first time, the sheer energy of the paintings was enough to make them stop and take a closer look.

Some guests described the works as “something between manga and painting.” It was fascinating to see how an artistic style that crosses traditional boundaries could resonate with people of different ages and nationalities.

During the exhibition, one of the most memorable moments was seeing guests stop in front of the artworks while visiting the restaurant for breakfast, gazing at the paintings with genuine curiosity.

We also saw children pointing at the artwork and saying, “Isn’t that the painting he was working on in the lobby?” It was a special moment when their memories of the live painting experience connected with the finished artwork.

For some guests, the exhibition became the starting point for another experience. Some signed up for Ishizuka’s painting classes, while others followed the artist on Instagram. One experience naturally led to another — creating new connections between the artist, the guests, and the world of art.