A sketch depicting foreigner stereotypes from different neighborhoods across Bali has quickly gone viral.
In a march from left to right, the sketch shows men in an evolution, if you will, from ‘bogan’ to hippie, progressing from Kuta outwards to Seminyak to Batu Belig to Canggu, and finally to Ubud.
Anyone traveling or living in Bali in these different areas has inevitably encountered foreigners so outrageous that they almost seem like caricatures, which is exactly why this drawing is so spot on. The drawing really seems to resonate with locals and foreigners alike as it’s been shared over 150 times and has over 1.5K likes on a repost in the Facebook group Canggu Community alone.
Coconuts Bali tracked down the artist behind the sketch to get the story and inspiration behind the viral sensation.
Mila Gerber, born and raised in Bali, says she had no idea the artwork she drew just for fun would blow up so big and has even been inspired to follow up her first piece with a ladies edition.
When did you do the drawing?
I did the drawing about three weeks ago now. Took me three days to finish.
How did it end up online? Do you know the person who shared it to Canggu Community or had it spread around so much already that you have no idea where she got it from?
I uploaded it on my Facebook and Instagram page, not thinking much of it. Just thought it was pretty funny and wanted to share with my friends. I noticed a couple of friends saved the picture and re-uploaded it with their own captions. They didn’t realize that it was my drawing, a few people actually thought it was just another image from the net. I had to clarify it on my original post then my friends started crediting me but you know, they have friends who shared it, screen shot it, repost it…then those friends did the same and so on. I don’t know the person who shared it on the Canggu Community, I don’t even follow the Canggu Community (I don’t live in the ‘Gu). A handful of friends started tagging and mentioning me that’s how I knew about it.
Have you noticed it going viral anywhere else? Like in other Facebook groups or on other social media like Twitter or Instagram?
Yes, since yesterday and today, both on Facebook and Instagram. I wouldn’t have known about it if it weren’t for my friends who knew it’s my drawing tagging me on all the posts! I don’t have Twitter so I don’t know.
Are we meant to see it as a jab at the ‘Evolution of Man’ with Kuta being at the bottom and Ubud being at the highest level? With perhaps Ubudians at least thinking they are the highest and ‘self-actualized’ and most evolved?
Yes, def is a jab from ‘Evolution of Man’! Thank you, you got that part of the joke! The caption in my original post is “Evolution of Bali” but again, because it was being reposted so much, people didn’t see that and didn’t get it.
I saw it more from a geographical way. From Kuta moving upwards to Seminyak, Batu Belig, Canggu then Ubud.
What inspired the drawing?
So how I came up with the idea….I was chatting with a friend of mine about the dress sense in Kuta. Somehow, that lead to joking around about the stereotypes in Bali. The idea of ‘Evolution of Man’ popped in my head and I instantly drew a quick, rough sketch on paper while the idea was still fresh in my mind.
Could you tell us any interesting anecdotes, if you have any, of encountering any of these stereotypes?
I’ve met all those stereotypes in Bali, so for sure I have some funny stories. I was in a local warung one time for lunch. Seminyak stereotype guy was in front of me with two of his mates and telling them how to order in a nasi campur place. You know, all ‘local’ style. Then he says to the lady serving the food, “Oh yeh…satoo nazi kampur with kap kay”. Mate…
Another one is overhearing a group of Kuta stereotypes saying, “How long does it take to get to Kanggu?”
I have some funny ideas in my head that I want to draw. Just wait.
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My dad is Swiss, mom is Indonesian. I was born and raised in Bali, so I’ve been here all my life. My family is in the hospitality business (Un’s Restaurant, Un’s Hotel & The Balcony Restaurant in Kuta) which have been around for more than 25 years. I don’t know if there’s a stereotype category for that?
If you like ‘The Evolution of Bali,’ you can follow Mila on Instagram to keep up with her latest creations.
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