bali frog

Relaxed and laid back, a frog holds a sunflower in this expressive statuette. Wayan Kandiyasa sculpts the frog from sandstone, expertly tending to its detailed form. In Bali, frogs are believed to bring good luck, inspiring Kandiyasa to sculpt a most endearing piece.

Sweet and talented, musical frogs play traditional Balinese musical instruments including the kelinang, the kenang and the suling. Nyoman Rely carves the expressive statuettes by hand from limestone, its natural hue accentuating every vivid detail.

The kelinang is a small kettle held on the lap or hands and played with a hard stick. The kendang is a double-headed drum of jackfruit wood and cowhide, and the suling is a vertical bamboo flute.

A frog exhibits purpose and good will as it goes about its business. A jaunty fringed parasol shades the amphibian from Bali's bright sun. A good luck talisman, the frog is a frequent theme in Indonesian art, portrayed by Wayan Kandiyasa.