Bendi grew up during the period of the 1950s and 1960s, witnessing the intense physical and social changes taking place in Bali. In his paintings, mythology, history, tradition, and contemporary realities merged to form a crowded and chaotic landscape. Such compositional feature of his works bears the influence from the Ubud style, which had in the past concentrated on themes of mythology and Balinese life. Bendi however, developed interests for history and their impact on society. Although his works often refer to historical events, these events seemed to be played out in a contemporary Balinese setting; with modern vehicles, tourists and their cameras, touts with their trinkets. The result is a scene generous with humour, belying their interests in the concepts of the past, Bali as a spectacle, and potent commentaries on society.
