The Price of Progress
Text by Penny Watson
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This illustration was created for an article by Penny Watson reflecting on the rapid transformation of Pererenan, a coastal village in Bali. The story follows her experience arriving during the pandemic, when the area still felt quiet and deeply rooted in traditional village life. Within only a few years, rice fields and open landscapes began giving way to cafés, guesthouses, and new developments driven by tourism. The piece explores the tension between economic progress and cultural preservation, capturing a moment where Bali’s natural beauty, local traditions, and changing urban landscape coexist in an uncertain balance.