MASK - WOODEN FACE WEARING UDENG

The wooden mask was purchased by Astit Olszowy and her husband Richard during a trip to Bali and Lombok in 1993. Astit was born in Indonesia and moved to Australia when she married Richard. Astit quickly became an active member of the Indonesian community in Perth. Part of her role was to promote and celebrate Indonesian culture in Perth. Astit also liked to collect reminders of Indonesian culture when she went back to Indonesia and display them in her family home.
This carved wooded mask was purchased in either Bali or Lombok and features a stylised male face and is wearing the traditional Balinese headdress called an udeng. The udeng is worn by Balinese men and is made from a length of fabric (usually Cotton) and is styled to be worn in a very specific style. The asymmetrical shape of the udeng with the right side higher than the left side is to remind the wearer to always do the right thing and to live in justice. It is normally worn at religious ceremonies, formal meetings, official events and other important community events.