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Bukti Suyasa

"I was born in the mountain village of Tegalalang, a place known for years as one of Bali's artistic and cultural centers," Ketut Bukti Suyasa says.

"Bukti in Balinese and in Bahasa Indonesia means 'prove.' Maybe my parents gave me this name so I can prove to the world that one day I can be a great man.

"I started studying painting with my brother when I was in the fifth year of elementary school. Riding on a bike to the market, I regularly sold five to seven paintings a week. The themes were mostly of nature, birds, and flowers. This way I was able to earn money and pay for my own school."

In 1994, Suyasa started to create high quality hand-carved and hand-painted wooden birds and other kinds of animals. He now works together with about 15 other artisans, while his wife, Ketut Naryani, sells the creations at a small roadside stand.

The couple has three sons.