Leaves 1

Louise Garret Koke, born Louise Gignox, traveled to Bali in 1936 with photographer Robert ("Bob") Koke and opened the first hotel in Kuta, Bali. Louise wrote about their adventure opening the hotel in her book Our Hotel In Bali : How Two Young Americans Made A Dream Come True : A Story Of The 1930s. Bob is also credited with bringing surfing to the island. Bob and Louise fled the island during the Japanese invasion and Bob went to work with the Office of Strategic Services and became chief of the OSS station in Batavia, Dutch East Indies. Louise created many drawings, romantic paintings, and watercolors while in Bali, in her home in Virginia and in China. Her works were exhibited at the Alliance Francaise (Shanghai, China, 1947) and are in the permanent collection of the Neka Art Museum (Ubud, Bali, 1993). 100% of proceeds from this sale will support BASAbali, a nonprofit organization of artists, academics and advocates who are engaging the public to strengthen the local language and culture of Bali. Signed by artist. No matte or frame. 11" x 15"