Description

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet by Tri Suwarno from Java, Indonesia, c.2010.
Water buffalo hide body painted with water-based paints, with water buffalo horn and bamboo handles (22″ h. x 15″ w. x 1/2″ d., 31″ h. including 9″ handle).
“The Kayon or “Tree of Life” puppet is used in every performance to begin and end the show, to mark scene divisions, to represent the natural elements, extreme emotions, and a palace, home, forest or other type of place.”  This Kayon specifically depicts the volcano Mt. Merapi, which erupted in Ocober 2010, and depicts the destruction of the villages below. It and the puppet of the “Volcano Keeper” Mbah Marijan who refused to leave his post and perished in the eruption, were both created by artist Tri Suwarno shortly after the event.  See the BBC story Spiritual guardian of Indonesian volcano dies.