Bali is often thought to be a paradise destination—a place where the soft sway of palm trees, sun-drenched beaches and a rich, vibrant culture have inspired the curiosity of travelers from all corners of the world. From batik prints to teak woodcut sculptures, Balinese arts and crafts have long been popular beyond the reaches of this small tropical island. Artist Davina Stephens has devoted the past 30 years to capturing what truly makes her homeland unique. Although she left Bali as a teenager for India and Australia, she always knew that she would return. Davina often reflects back on a time before the tourist buses clogged the streets and mega resorts invaded the coastline; a time a time when, as a young girl, she would bike down the dirt roads she would bike down the dirt roads and dodge falling coconuts with her Balinese classmates. In her art, she juxtaposes iconic Balinese symbols of sea, sand and surf and mythical underwater creatures with images of Hindu gods, temples and mundane modern items. Davina’s style has transformed over the years, too, from surrealist and dreamy compositions awash with soft pastels, to monochromatic erotic nudes, stark woodcuts and multi-layered mixed media canvases. Her work has been exhibited in Bali, across Asia and has reached as far as France and Australia. With each exhibition abroad, Davina transmits her vision of Bali—a land of mythical beauty and where she is proud to call her home.