Hand-Painted Wood Egg Sculpture with Hindu Theme - Praying Ladies

Artisan Organization: Ketut Bungkling

Country: Bali & Java

"Hello everyone; I want to tell you about myself. My name is Ketut Darmawan, but I am usually called Ketut Bungkling, which is a term for a stubborn child. I was born in 1976 to parents who worked as farmers. I am the youngest of 4 siblings. My family was a poor family, so it was very difficult to buy shoes and school uniforms when I was little. That's why I was determined to be able to paint when I was in elementary school. I wanted to help the family's economy by painting. After finishing elementary school, I continued to junior high school in Gianyar, quite far from where I live. To go to school I usually walked, because I rarely had money to pay for transportation.

"I want to tell you how I became an egg painting craftsman early in my village. In 1986 a tour leader from Switzerland came to my village and saw a lot of duck eggs being wasted during a ceremony. He gave us the idea to use the leftover duck eggs, and promised to promote the paintings on eggshells. Our village became a center for eggshell painting craftsmen, although now the materials we use are expanding. Painting on eggshells or wooden eggs is now my main job. But in my spare time, I also enjoy cycling occasionally. Cycling makes my stamina and mind fresh again.

"I am married and have a beautiful daughter who is now 11 years old. It was a long struggle for us to have this little daughter, but now she is a gift that makes our lives happier. I have experienced many difficult things in this life, ranging from economic problems to the long wait to have a baby. Thank goodness I was able to get through all of this. And I am grateful because I got through difficult times during this pandemic. I got information about Novica and completed everything needed to join as an artisan. Hopefully, in the future, Novica can help introduce my handicrafts to a wider market." "