batik textile

Enchanted by the beauty of Sita, the evil king Rawana wants her as his concubine. He sends one of his knights to tempt her by transforming himself into a golden deer. Sita, captured by her curiosity, asks her husband to catch the golden deer. Thus begins one of the many trials that beset the noble Rama - though happily, love will ultimately prevail. The story comes from the Sanskrit Ramayana, or "Romance of Rama," the Hindu epic poem. Gusti Made Sujana uses batik to depict Rama and Rawana with the deer.

Rice fields stretch to the horizon in neat terraces. While villagers harvest rice in the shade of a leafy palm, the fertile splendor of Bali is manifest. Gusti Made Sujana creates this splendid portrait of his homeland in vibrant batik.

Working topless in the hot afternoon, the entire village comes together to harvest a rich crop of golden rice. Gusti Made Sujana shares the spirit of togetherness, or otong royong. All tasks become easier when shared by more than one, and this belief in reciprocated obligations is an integral part of daily life in Bali. This exquisite batik painting wall hanging depicts the famously beautiful rice paddies of Tegalalang in Ubud.

Gusti Made Sujana depicts a scene from the Jaka Tarub legend in this elegant batik painting. Jaka Tarub hid in the forest, spying on seven angels who were bathing in the river. Jaka hid one of the angels' shawls, not knowing they were magical. When the angels decided to fly back to heaven, the youngest one, whose shawl was missing, had to remain on earth. Her name was Nawang Wulan and Jaka came out of hiding to console her, not revealing his mischief.

He took her home and soon they fell in love, and had a child. Nawang Wulan magically provided Jaka with copious amounts of rice in the granary — something that Jaka had no knowledge of. But one day he disobeyed a simple request by Nawang Wulan, and with that action her magic powers came to an end.

When the rice was gone, Nawang Wulan happened to find her missing shawl, which could restore her heavenly powers. She decided to return to heaven but, before flying back home, she asked Jaka to build a hut next to their home and place their baby girl there so she could come at night and nurse her. Nawang continued to care for her family from heaven.

Water buffalo graze while neighbors work at harvesting the abundant crop of rice. Gusti Made Sujana shares the spirit of togetherness, or otong royong. This system of communal aid is characteristic of the traditional Indonesian society. The only reward expected by participants is the satisfaction of having helped their neighbors to have a better life. All tasks become easier when shared by more than one and this belief in reciprocated obligations is an integral part of daily life in Bali.