Wayan Mustika

Artisan Organization: Wayan Mustika

Country: Bali and Java

The father of a son and two daughters, Wayan Mustika is a wood carver from the Gianyar regency. He is also a teacher at a school near his village. After school, he takes a brief rest before beginning work on his art. For a while, his children assisted him until his elder daughter got married in 2002. The other daughter lives in a different area and his son is away at school. Today Mustika and his wife live alone.

In 1965, under the guidance of Bapak (Sir) Kuaci, Mustika learned to carve the traditional Garuda Wisnu figure. This portrays the god Wisnu riding on the Garuda bird. Then Mustika learned to carve traditional Balinese items on buildings. A few years later, in 1988, his interest moved to modern and abstract sculptures, which he continues to create at present."