Unique figures made out of bamboo root

Thu, December 26, 2019 / 12:16 pm

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Sriyono carves a bamboo root at his house. The figures will be sent to South Korea. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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A closer look at Sriyono at work. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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The artist sculpts bamboo roots into a variety of shapes and sizes. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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The many axes and tools Sriyono uses. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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Baby Jesus in the nativity scene. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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The artist holds figures he created out of bamboo root. JP/Magnus Hendratmo
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A figure is ready to be shipped. JP/Magnus Hendratmo

Magnus Hendratmo

Often discarded as firewood, bamboo root is given a second life by Sriyono, an artist based in Central Java’s Klaten. He specializes in the material, and says they look like a work of art when stacked. From intact bamboo roots, he makes carvings of animals and religious figures.

Nearing Christmas, Sriyono finds himself busy working on a Santa Claus as well as the nativity figures of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. “They will be sent to South Korea,” he said.

With orders mostly coming from outside Indonesia, the figures are sold at Rp 3 million (US$214.76) for one set. These figures are considered unique, with irregularities in their shapes and sizes along with the speckled and striped texture. (wng)