Located in the village of Kemenuh in Sukowati, one of the sub-districts in Gianyar (Bali), Dewa Malen woodcarving business was initiated in 1994 by Dewa Ngaken Ketut Suarbawa, the owner. He was assisted by his wife, Sang Ayu Made Setiawati, both of whom were high school graduates. Determined to develop the business, they decided to open an art shop at home, which was later called “Dewa Malen” Wood Carving.
“Before I started the business, I remember borrowing some money from BRI Unit Ubud in 1974. BRI Unit Ubud lent me Rp 300 thousand at that time. I used Rp 175 thousand of it to buy a piece of land in Mas, and the rest was for running the business.”
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It goes without saying that Bali, the Island of God, is famous for its tourism industry which attracts domestic as well as foreign visitors with a variety of artistic works, ranging from traditional dances, religious ceremony to handicrafts. Handicrafts and woodcarving products are among other things of the tourist’s high interests.
Bali Art is one of the many art shops in Bali which offer handicrafts and woodcarving products to tourists. Located in Mas, one of the sub-districts in Ubud (Gianyar, Bali), Bali Art is managed by Mr. and Mrs. Ida Bagus Putu Wedha who started the business in 1980. Born in Mas Ubud in 1948, Mr. Wedha is such a talented local woodcarver—he never took any particular carving training; he learned it from his father instead. There are a lot of woodcarvers in Ubud and he is one of the best carvers here. That’s why some of the products are made by himself—he even teaches his carvers how to make fine woodcarvings.
“Before I started the business, I remember borrowing some money from BRI Unit Ubud in 1974. BRI Unit Ubud lent me Rp 300 thousand at that time. I used Rp 175 thousand of it to buy a piece of land in Mas and the rest was for running the business.”
As he wanted to develop the business, he built “Bali Art” on the land in November 1979. From 1980 to 1985 he was a retailer; but since then he decided to export his collections due to high demands from foreigners visiting his shop. The business grew rapidly and he made a big fortune from it. In 1996 he stopped borrowing money from BRI Unit—he was financially self-sufficient. However, in 1999 he took a loan again from BRI Unit Mas as much as Rp 25 million. “BRI has been of great assistance to me in developing this business from the very first time, so I want to maintain good relationship with BRI.” Mr. Wedha is such a good borrower that he has never been late in paying the installment—he is currently borrowing Rp 75 million from BRI Unit Mas-Ubud.
Mr. Wedha is a very busy businessman as well as a good father to his family. His success with Bali Art has inspired him to run another business. He then established “Bali Festo Restaurant” for his son and “Dewi Art” furniture shop for his other son. Large demands from domestic and overseas markets might be the main reasons. Until now he has fixed customers from America and Hawaii.
Bali Art contact details: (62) (361) 975285; email:
; website: www.baliartmas.com.
It goes without saying that Bali, the Island of God, is famous for its tourism industry which attracts domestic as well as foreign visitors with a variety of artistic works, ranging from traditional dances, religious ceremony to handicrafts. Handicrafts and woodcarving products are among other things of the tourist’s high interests.
