Under the tutelage of his uncle, Wayan Sarjana has fine-tuned his silversmithing skills to become one of the most talented …
Under the tutelage of his uncle, Wayan Sarjana has fine-tuned his silversmithing skills to become one of the most talented and innovative craftsmen in his village. Sarjana, an amateur historiographer, returns to his roots for inspiration. He elaborates on ancient Indonesian designs to create elegantly unique silver jewelry.
"I was born in a village called Banjar Apuan Singapadu, Sukawati on the island of Bali. I am the eldest of three children from a family of artists, but I was the first in my family to work with silver.
"I started to learn at the age of fifteen as an apprentice in my village with a man called Nyoman Regig. He was a good but strict teacher. If I made one piece just a little bit wrong he would be so angry with me, but he also taught me how to work under stress and short time limits. A good foundation if you ask me!
"After five years I started on my own to produce original pieces that I sold to local shops. And slowly I was able to save enough money to make my own workshop at home, where I work still until this day.
"My main inspirations come from nature and the daily life around me. Flowers and animals are my favorite subjects, but sometimes-abstract geometrical shapes come into my mind, even though they are inspired strongly by nature originally."
