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Notable Mask-Carvers

Notable nask-carvers Cokorda Raka Tisnu and I Wayan Tangguh are perhaps the most accomplished traditional mask-makers working on Bali. I Wayan Tedun of Singapadu and I Wayan Muka and I.B. Anom of Mas also do good work.

Oka-Trevelyan Mask Makers was created by David Trevelyan - a Canadian artist - and Ida Bagus Oka, a master carver from Mas. The result of this remarkable fusion of talents from two different cultures is Tlingit Indian-style masks found in the North-West United States. Visit their showroom in Mas in front of Anom's.

Besides Mas, the village of Puaya near Sukawati is a mask-making center. Many shops along Ubud's Monkey Forest Road and Kuta's Jl. Legian sell attractive masks.

Also, visit the Bali Museum to see a fine collection of Balinese topeng, and in the Mangkunegaran Palace of Yogya is a very complete collection of famous topeng from Bali.

I Wayan Tangguh is a 50 years old mask maker from Singapadu village, Gianyar regency. He is very clever at making masks. No wonder all his masks are bought by tourists. His name "Tangguh" is derived from Balinese word that means clever. He never admits himself if that he is a sculptor but he prefers to be called a farmer.

At first, his aim was to make masks for the temple ceremonies such as: Rahwana, Rama, Rangda, Banaspati and Barong Ket (Name of mask). Most of them are used for temples because they are considered as sacred masks. It eventually becomes a business. Because of his talent in making masks many people come to him for masks.

The unique thing about Wayan Tangguh's masks is the color. He used colors from the natural environment. For instants he uses the color white not from paint but from the color of pig bone.

The mask material itself is also taken from natural material. That is why he becomes a famous mask maker in Gianyar regency. When asked about a mask price, he just keeps smiling. He says that it will depend on the production and term of making the mask, and the material itself.