Fantasy-Inspired Blue Albesia Wood Mask with Batik Details - Tree Phantom

Artisan Organization: Hely and Endang

Country: Bali and Java

"Drawing has been my hobby since I was a child, but I learned batik for the first time when I was still in the junior high school. While other students chose basketball, aero-modeling, marching band and other extra school activities, I chose batik instead. I found it interesting to see how batik is drawn and colored.

"As I grew up, I slowly forgot my batik lessons as my interest in music grew. This continued until I had graduated from the university and received my bachelor's degree.

"I came in contact with batik again when I was working on the marketing staff of a batik and furniture exporting company. As a part of my job, I often had to work with people from production. Some of them were artisans from Singapore and the Philippines, and I learned more about batik and wood finishing during my working period with the company.

"Since 2005, I have been creating my own works. I chose wood batik because it combines the uniqueness of batik on wood, the Javanese culture, and the beauty of wood carving. My wife, Endang Kusmiati, has been helping me so much in creating our works. We work hand in hand to deliver the best result. Our batik designs are mostly contemporary, and are sometimes combined with beads and certain wood finishing techniques. My wife and I would like to create designs that are different from those existing today.""