SUCCESSFUL Mataram-born teak-root craftsman Bing Gianto, whose magnificent and intricately carved table named Shades of Earth Gora is on display in the President’s Office at the State Palace in Jakarta, is carefully crafting a sequel.Like its predecessor, Shades of Earth Gora II (Nuansa Bumi Gora II) will depict the rich dynamics of society in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province. Gora is an abbreviation of a system of farming technology, named Gogo Rancah, introduced to boost NTB agriculture and prosperity.
Accomplished artist Gianto says his new work shows typical aspects of local life including traditional houses of the indigenous Sasak, Samawa and Mbojo communities. It shows the region’s various places of worship – mosque, temple, church and monastery – highways, bridges, forests and activities in the rice field.Gianto says the work has been commissioned by an important man in NTB and will be on public display. While such work is valued at more than Rp100 million, he has not set a price for this piece and will be grateful for whatever he receives. “This work is dedicated to NTB and I hope it will make the people proud.”
The Shades of Earth Gora II table measures 285 cm long, 170 cm wide and is 62 cm high. It takes Gianto about two months to prepare his materials and shape the teak (Tectona grandis) root, another two months to carve the creation and about a week to finish the product. His creative mind and hands have crafted hundreds of other works that are held by collectors from America, Japan, Egypt and Taiwan. These works include Jaka Tarub (Jake Tarub), Arus Air Mengalir (Flowing Water Flow) and Bonsai Pohon Mangga (Bonsai Mango Tree).Time and dwindling availability of suitable teak root is limiting the craftsman to annually producing about 15 of his elaborate works, which officially are categorised as Spectacular.
Gianto, who is administrator of the National Crafts Council (Mataram), says his Spectacular works are premium-priced because of the original and elaborate nature of the designs which follow the natural contours of the teak root.
However, he is preparing a training program to pass on his expertise to NTB locals and plans to display their more affordable souvenirs of Lombok and Sumbawa in a showroom at which visitors will be able to sample snacks of typical NTB cuisine.
Bing Gianto uses natural teak root found in the forests and community gardens of Sumbawa, where teak trees have become quite rare due to logging. Most teak roots suitable for his craft are found scattered and embedded in the forest soil.
His interest in his craft stemmed from his love of nature. “Together with some friends, one day I went to a teak forest in Sumbawa regency, which was a former concession (logging) area,” he recalls.
“I saw a piece of teak tree root caught in the dry riverbed and it later became my first work which I showed to the then Regent of Sumbawa, Jacob Koswara, who was motivated to allow me access to the roots.”
source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com
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