28 Aug 2015 Handicrafts of Bali, Indonesia

Indonesia is a very creative country in terms of handicrafts. Bali especially stands testimony to this beautiful craftsmanship. Balinese art is the art of Hindu-Javanese origin that grew from the work of artisans of the Majapahit Kingdom, with their expansion to Bali in the late 14th century. There are various type Balinese art and craft. Each place specializes in certain areas of craftsmanship. Ubud and Batuan are known for their paintings, Mas for their woodcarvings, Celuk for gold and silver smiths, and Batubulan for their stone carvings.

Angel – Bali Wood Carving

There were many experiments with new types of art by Balinese artists from the late nineteenth century onward. These experiments were stimulated by access to new materials like western paper and imported inks and paint, and by the 1930s, new tourist markets stimulated many young Balinese to be involved in new types of art. In the 1920s, with the arrival of many western artists, Bali became an artist’s enclave. During this time, Balinese wood carving too underwent a similar transformation during the 1930s and 1940s. The creative outburst of wood carving emerged during this transition period is often attributed to western influences too.

Playful Romantic Couple

In Bali wood carving there is a definite and certain style. Here is a little story how this stabilization came into existence. During the transition years, the Pitamaha Artist Guild was the prime mover not only for Balinese paintings, but also for the development of modern Balinese wood carvings. Tagelan produced an elongated carving of a Balinese woman from a long piece of wood that was given by Walter Spies, who originally requested him to produce two statues. This carving is still in the collection of the Puri Lukisan Museum in Ubud. Other masters of Balinese modernist woodcarving were Ida Bagus Nyana, Tjokot and Ida Bagus Tilem. Ida Bagus Nyana was known for experimenting with mass in sculpture. When carving human characters, he shortened some parts of the body and lengthened others, thus bringing an eerie, surreal quality to his work. At the same time he didn’t overwork the wood and adopted simple, naive themes of daily life.

Thinker Statue

For such a small island, it is surprising to learn about the many arts and crafts that are created by the Balinese people. The handicraft industry in Bali is very productive as it is a common pastime for many Balinese people. Bali’s built environment is a testimonial to this art form. So display a classic hand carved statue of Bali in your living room and be a proud owner.

Pushpita is a freelance writer on world handicrafts and lifestyle. Pushpita holds a Masters in English literature and is a rich media professional.