The sound of carving tools echoed in a small workshop measuring only four to five meters in Kekeran hamlet in Angantaka village, Abiansemal, Badung regency.

Some 60 artisans were busy finishing special orders of Garuda Wisnu Kencana wood statues to be presented as gifts to state leaders of APEC member countries.

The owner of the workshop is I Nyoman Sutapa, a native of the area and part of a new generation of woodcarvers bent on resurrecting the glory of the village as the center of wood handicrafts.

In the 1980s, Angantaka and its two neighboring villages of Sedang and Jagapati, were known as the home of the regency'€™s best woodcarvers. Shrinking demand in the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings saw a large number of artisans abandon their workshops to seek fortune as farmers and construction workers.

With promotional, marketing and financial assistance provided by the regency administration, the woodcarvers from the three villages are now trying to repeat history.

Sutapa said it would take two weeks to finish one wood statue from selecting a chunk of wood to carving the wood into a model.

'€œSelecting the right type of wood is important to the size and shape of the statue,'€ explained Sutapa.

Hardwoods are difficult to shape but in terms of durability and longevity, these types of woods are remarkable.

Softer types of woods, he said, might be easier to carve but they were vulnerable to damage from temperature and insects.

'€œWe have selected local wood called pangkal buaya, which is hard but easy enough to carve,'€ he said while showing the carving process.

At the first stage, artisans shape the wood with chisels and other tools to create rough statues.

Some artists create elaborate details as required by an order.

For the APEC leaders, the artists created Garuda Wisnu Kencana statues that depict Wisnu, the Sustainer, mounting the mythical bird Garuda as his vehicle.

'€œWe have been asked to make 30 wood statues packaged beautifully in wooden boxes covered with endek, traditional Balinese woven cloths,'€ Sutapa said proudly.

For many local artisans, creating artwork is considered a ritual activity.

'€œIn the past, almost all residents of the village were avid carvers and artisans. Now, they prefer to work as farmers,'€ he described.

Pressures have been mounting to produce goods that are easily sold to support their families, thus leaving their artistic endeavors behind.

'€œWe were fortunate to receive capital and technical assistance from the Badung regional administration,'€ he added.

A new regulation requires all hotels and tourist establishments to procure artwork from local artisans. The administration has also helped local artisans in setting up marketing networks.

'€œThis special order for the APEC leaders came from the Badung regency and we are thankful for this rare opportunity,'€ the artisan said as he continued working to meet the tight deadline to finish the 30 statues.

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