A Balinese Maiden

"Unlike the individualistic art of the West in which the main concern of the artist is to develop his personality in order to create an easily recognizable style as the means to attain his ultimate goal--recognition and fame--the anonymous artistic production of the Balinese, like their entire life,is the expression of collective thought."
--Miguel Covarrubias, Island of Bali

The Balinese are literally and figuratively, magical. Not only do they live in complete harmony with nature and each other, they are collaborative and inclusive. They are Hindus, yet it takes a uniquely Balinese form. Every aspect of daily life is marked by ceremony and offerings. It is beautiful rather than harsh, mystical and trance-filled. Influences of Chinese wushu, the animism of the Bali Aga, or "ancient" people, even aspects of Christianity can be found in its ceremonies and observances.

There are no words in Balinese for "art' and "artists. The aim of the music, dance, and art is to serve the community. I think that because of the lack of ego in village ceremonies and observances, the art is also collaborative, and constantly changing. I've seen carvings of giraffes and paintings of fat Chinese gods, both unknown in Bal. Soon everyone is copying them and they can be found everywhere.

I walked through the mid day heat (Balinese style--very slowly) to buy my ebony carving of a Balinese maiden. She seemed especially detailed, and the attention to detail makes her unique. Her necklace and headdress are intricate and her bracelet, freely moving on her slender wrist, appears to have been carved out of a single piece of wood. She is holding a fan, not a mirror, for mirrors are rare, and her elaborate headdress was done without mirrors or pins. She represents the charm and beauty of Bali and its culture, and I enjoy looking closely at her from time to time, and thinking about how unique and special my trips to that Indonesian island have been.