Tri Suwarno

East Asia and the Pacific Indonesia

Year(s) attended: 2009

Painted Leather Shadow Puppet

Brothers Riyadi and Tri grew up in a family of puppet makers.  Although the family is trained in all aspects of puppet making, they specialize in painting and decorating puppets. It is not unusual for many artists to be involved in making a puppet, each with a special skill.  Shadow puppet theater has been performed in Indonesia for hundreds of years and is the epitome of cultural expression in Java.  The puppet shows are not only entertaining, but also celebrate events, teach ethics and values, and provide commentary on current events or contemporary issues.