What Is Bali?
Is it an island?
A temple?
Perhaps a rice field or a Hindu ceremony.
Maybe it is the collision between old and new, or the impact of tourism.
— Michael Dean Morgan
Michael’s first impression of Bali was shaped by a childhood memory from when he visited the island at the age of 13. “At that time, my impression of Bali was an island crowded with unruly street vendors, overwhelmed by tourists, filled with dishonesty, alcohol, and constant noise,” he recalls.
“However, after traveling through many islands in Asia and reflecting again on Bali, I came to see it as an island deeply enjoyed and desired—one that captivates tourists, yet offers travelers a real and genuine experience.”
In 2013, Michael was invited to return to Bali, this time as a photographer for a photographic project about the island, initiated by a gallery in Seminyak. Reluctant at first, he eventually agreed.
Through this experience, Michael discovered moments that led him to admire Bali and gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the island he now inhabits.
Michael’s book, Looking for Bali, is a documentary photo book that captures the rhythm of everyday life on the island. When observed more closely, readers are guided toward human stories found in the ordinary routines of Balinese life—such as a small family running a neighborhood food stall, a village healer responding to community calls, or a fisherman returning from the sea.
“It is always a strong sign when a photographer or writer presents something new and offers a fresh perspective on a place where one has spent a great deal of time and grown familiar,” says Rio Helmi, the renowned photographer and writer who knows Michael well. “There is that sense of, ‘Oh, I know this—but I’ve never looked at it that way.’”
