the protector

Javanese artist Aldi creates this beautiful acrylic painting to honour the unique life of trees. "Various small animals nest in the branches and twigs, as a home for shelter from fierce nature," he says, acknowledging the plant's impact on its surrounding environment.

Just as unique as the artist's personality, this mixed media work was painted by Reza Dwakiss as an ode to self-expression and social acceptance. The artist in Java uses bright red and blue acrylic to create the painting, while permanent marker supplies the work with bold, graphic style.

Protect yourself from the elements with this set of face masks designed by Bali's Nyoman Nadri. Crafted with rayon using a batik dyeing technique, the masks are double-layered with cotton linings for extra protection, and feature elastic ear loops.

Vibrant and warm tones are present in this sweet set of four jempinis wood ornaments handcrafted by Bali's Candra Suwitra. After carving the ducks, symbolizing fidelity and protection, the artisan adds golden polyester strings for hanging them anywhere.

Balinese artisan Ketut Sudantara combines colorful acrylic paint with shimmering gilt to create a unique metallic finish on this stunning relief panel. Crafted from local suar wood, the panel features a praying Buddha under a thatched roof surrounded by flowers.

The two figures on Anak Agung Ary charming statuette hold tedung, Balinese umbrellas said to aid in protection during ceremonies. Hand carved from albesia wood, the statuette is painted in bright colours and treated in a distressed finish.

Wandering through the ancient landscapes of Bali, the Barong is a divine spirit that protects the forest and all its inhabitants from negative energies. Often shown in sacred ceremonies, this stunning guardian is a symbol of Bali's culture, inspiring Made Mulyani to craft this acacia wood mask with a painted finish.

As a new day dawns on the orange horizon, every subject of the Earth awakens to a heavenly glow. The line between realism and fantasy stimulates the human imagination just as dreaming of a world flourishing with peace.

Ida Ratna Ningrum conceptualizes the beginning of a new era of peace in this enchanting painting as she depicts an idyllic view into a blooming world of nature. The artist explains that the young girl sits protected under a tree in a thriving green field of harmonious flowers, far from the clutches of monolithic urban society. Finding hope in nature, the young girl embraces a dim globe to bring rejuvenation and a return to innocence, symbolizing the human concept of harmony.

Circling above, a flock of doves foreshadows the cleansing of the world's conscience, themselves being symbols of purity and modesty since ancient times. As humanity is both destined and doomed to a cyclical existence, the arrival of ancient symbols signals great changes to come.

"My definition of world peace is the desire of every human being, all who decide and choose to be at peace in their own way. If humans realize we can all choose to make peace by asking God to give us a heart that is peaceful and calm, then there will be no war. My hope for world peace is that all human beings can individually create something good and respect each other, and then peace will be established," the artist confides.

Carved from albesia wood, this fascinating sculpture depicts two men carrying tedung, the ceremonial umbrellas used in Balinese Hindu temples. Anak Agung Ary crafts the sculpture from albesia wood and paints it by hand with an antiqued finish.

"My definition of world peace is the desire of every human being who decides and chooses to be at peace in their own way. If humans realize we can all choose to make peace by asking God to give us a heart that is peaceful and calm, then there will be no war. My hope for world peace is that all beings can individually create something good and respect each other, and then peace will be established," says Ida Ratna Ningrum.

The artist advocates for harmony and goodwill with her daydream-like painting "Pray for Peace." With idyllic realism, Ida creates a desert landscape symbolic of societal conflicts and scarcity, dominated by a prayerful young woman in a pink dress.

The artist explains that the cat and white rabbit symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, respectively, as they accompany the girl in her quest for peace. Circling above, white doves soar freely, symbolizing the release of a new period of peace under a pure blue sky. Thriving around the young woman, cacti, prickly pears and aloe represent the protection provided by mother nature, even in times of friction. An encouraging reminder of human resilience, the painting calls for a new peaceful era on planet Earth.

"Peace is the desire of every human being around the world," says the artist. "Prayer is a method of expression from a person to God and the universe. A sad girl sees a beautiful world without any feelings of peace, as if there is always war. She prays to God that the world will always be at peace without any war. If the world is free from war, the world will be peaceful, serene, and prosperous."

About this painting, Balinese artist Made Surita says "A lady is carrying rice on her head and another lady is sitting in a hut trying to defend the rice field from birds that want to eat the rice, while a man in a hat lies down under a big tree, resting himself." The artist paints this scene in a charming naif style, capturing the lush rice paddies under the watchful protection of two mountains.

Titled Panen Padi in Balinese.