Balinese artisans
Artistically, Bali is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. The Balinese have a natural capacity for absorbing different cultural elements to blend them with their own to produce dynamic new hybrids. Over the years Bali has been the recipient of numerous influences: Chinese, Buddhist, Indian, Hindu, Javanese and most recently, Western. For centuries artists and craftsmen in Bali worked under the patronage of the priests and ruling classes decorating palaces and temples. The artists themselves were anonymous, never signing their work and usually living together in artists' 'villages'.
Generally the artists did not have much room for personal expression as their designs followed strict aesthetic and religious guidelines. With the arrival of European artists at the start of this century, this soon began to change and artists started developing their own individual styles.
Wood Carving
Balinese artists are world renowned for their skill in carving wood and painting representations of the local mythical beings. Wood carving, like stone carving, has traditionally been featured largely in temple and palace architecture with little freestanding 'sculpture' work produced commercially. Immaculately carved demons and mythical beings decorate pillars, door panels, lintels and window shutters with the aim of protecting the buildings from evil intruders. Scenes of legendary figures placed within floral decor set a more pleasant and educational tone. When producing tools and objects for everyday use, sculptors had a much freer hand in choosing subject matter. With the arrival of European influences, wood carving started to develop along more innovative and commercial lines.
Although there have been noteworthy carvers, for example; I Nyoman Tjokot, Ida Bagus Nyana and Ketut Nongos, artistic integrity has suffered somewhat as a result of whole villages specializing in producing certain styles of work. The village of Mas near Ubud is best known for its carvings of female figures, Buddhas, characters from Hindu epics and the traditional Topeng and Wayang Wong masks.
Generally the artists did not have much room for personal expression as their designs followed strict aesthetic and religious guidelines. With the arrival of European artists at the start of this century, this soon began to change and artists started developing their own individual styles.
Wood Carving
Balinese artists are world renowned for their skill in carving wood and painting representations of the local mythical beings. Wood carving, like stone carving, has traditionally been featured largely in temple and palace architecture with little freestanding 'sculpture' work produced commercially. Immaculately carved demons and mythical beings decorate pillars, door panels, lintels and window shutters with the aim of protecting the buildings from evil intruders. Scenes of legendary figures placed within floral decor set a more pleasant and educational tone. When producing tools and objects for everyday use, sculptors had a much freer hand in choosing subject matter. With the arrival of European influences, wood carving started to develop along more innovative and commercial lines.
Although there have been noteworthy carvers, for example; I Nyoman Tjokot, Ida Bagus Nyana and Ketut Nongos, artistic integrity has suffered somewhat as a result of whole villages specializing in producing certain styles of work. The village of Mas near Ubud is best known for its carvings of female figures, Buddhas, characters from Hindu epics and the traditional Topeng and Wayang Wong masks.