Dewi Praying Statue

Balinese

Java

Java and Bali share the same culture and ethnic groups. Like Bali, Java is renowned for its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, and performing arts. Artistically, Bali is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. For centuries, artists and craftsmen in Bali worked under the patronage of the priests and ruling classes, decorating palaces and temples. The artists themselves were anonymous, never signing their work and usually living close together in artists' 'villages'. Generally the artists did not have much room for personal expression, as their designs followed strict aesthetic and religions guidelines. With the arrival of European artists at the start of this century, this soon began to change, and artists started developing their own individual styles.This statue represents the Dewi Sri. She is the goddess of rice on the island of Bali and Java. She has the power of the underworld and the moon. She controls the foodstuffs of the earth and death. She is the mother of life because she symbolizes rice (the primary food of Indonesia).

Indonesians have high respect for the Dewi Sri. The traditional Javanese people have a special place in their house dedicated for her, whilst the Balinese provide special shrines in the rice fields for her. The Sudanese have a special festival dedicated to her. This statue is an original interpretation of the craftsman. The spirituality of the Deity is portrayed in the position and serene expression of this carving.

Wood , Batik

Height : 56″ (142.2cm)