Snapshots from Bali (clockwise): Kay making a Wayang Kulit shadow puppet; Kay with her teacher Jamayanti at the Puri Lukisan Cultural Museum in Ubud; a Wayang Kulit shadow puppet; traditional Balinese dancer with a Barong mask/puppet; Wayang Kulit performance; Javanese rod puppets; Sketch by Kay Yasugi from the Ubud Royal Palace.
Kay Yasugi from Pupperoos recently took a research trip to Bali in Indonesia to explore its culture and puppetry. She spent most of her time in Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. One of the highlights was doing a Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) making course at the Puri Lukisan Cultural Museum, as well as seeing a traditional Wayang Kulit performance. She also visited Master shadow puppeteer I Made Sidia, who spoke to her about the philosophy behind Wayang Kulit and the importance of this art form for the Balinese people. Kay also had the pleasure of seeing ‘Bali Agung’, a fantastic theatre production that I Made Sidia co-directed, which is showing at the Bali Safari and Marine Park in Gianyar.
Master Balinese Wayang Kulit Shadow Puppeteer, I Made Sidia
After a week of exploring shadow puppetry, venturing on cultural tours, meandering through picturesque rice terraces, sketching ancient ruins, visiting Balinese homes, navigating through bustling markets, sampling the local cuisine and even going on a twilight elephant safari, Kay is back in Sydney and fully inspired to run some new workshops!
