Hong Kong gallery owner’s Bali villas – how she poured her art and soul into holiday homes for herself and friends
Sin Sin Man, the founder of Sin Sin Fine Art, recalls the instant connection she felt with the Indonesian island when she first visited 30 years ago that led her to build three holiday homes there
The first time she visited Bali, Sin Sin Man says she felt a strong spiritual and creative connection with the Indonesian island.
“Bali opened my eyes,” says the Hong Kong-based artist and contemporary gallery owner. “The people are so open and warm, and the culture and nature are so rich that from the start I was addicted to being there.”
That was 30 years ago and the love affair has continued unabated. It led in 1998 to Sin buying several village rice paddies, which she has transformed into an unusual home-from-home for herself and her friends.
“It’s very quiet. The neighbourhood hasn’t changed in 20 years but that is exactly what I like about it,” Sin says when friends ask about the location, some 15km inland from the airport in the capital, Denpasar, rather than overlooking the beaches for which Bali is so renowned.
Sin built three split-level villas, each of about 3,700 square feet, with two bedrooms and semi-al-fresco living and dining spaces leading out onto a terrace, a lush private garden and a swimming pool.
The three-in-one arrangement is unconventional but practical for Sin’s purposes.
