Excerpt:
Beside a muddy track in the Balinese forest is an impressive
structure that would pass as an installation in a more
conventional setting. But this is no gallery piece.
Hundreds of painted volcanic rocks have been piled up
to form a wall from which incense sticks project and
at which flowers and imitation gold have been laid.
This is clearly an altar, but it is an altar quite unlike
anything else found on Bali, where religion takes a
particular form within a clearly structured environment.
This is the work of Ni Tanjung.
Born about eighty years ago, Ni Tanjung has led a life
marked by hardship and tragedy. During the Japanese
occupation of 1942-5, she was captured and taken away
to do forced labour. At the end of the war she returned,
married and had four children. In 1965, one of her children
died whilst still of school age. Deeply traumatised,
Ni Tanjung withdrew into herself and embarked upon the
lonely passion that continues to consume her.
Thousands of
painted stones form a dense artistic patchwork. The artist's
won vision of a time in Bali when animals and humans were
equals. (left); Figures drawn on bamboo leaves and folded
paper hang on the outside wall of Ni Tanjung's house.
(right)