Camouflaged Tree Man Wall Mask from Indonesian Jaka Legend, "Jaka Tarub"

I'm Subagio, though people called me Gio. I was born in Sebatu, Gianyar. I'm the first child of 2 siblings. Friends describe me as a simple, kind and honest guy. My parents sell handicrafts in Ubud, and most people in Sebatu are making albesia wood carvings with many different styles. We typically make tribal and primitive styles.

I have worked since I was 6 years old, by helping neighbors make orders. I learned by doing until I was 11, and then I could carve wood myself and started peddling my own masterpieces. My father guided me to create a special process of finishing that makes the products look antique, and different from others. From my work, I was able to pay my own school fees until I finally graduated from a senior high school. I'm happy I can help my parents and also buy food for our family.

After I graduated from the senior high school, I worked as a cook in a hotel for 6 years, and also spent 3 years as masseur. I took any job that I could do, so I could help my parents buy food and help my siblings to continue their studies at school.

I began to focus on carving, since there are many orders for home decor. I collaborate with my parents in making items for customers, although we have no shop. If there are no orders, we have to peddle our products in Ubud. We use wood as our material and combine acrylic paints and gilt to get the antique look. We just use traditional tools for this, like chisels, mallets, knives, brushes, and sanding paper.

By joining Novica, I hope it can help me in expanding market scope and improving our product quality and also our income, since I really want to make my parents happy and proud.