Wall Accents
'Ramayana, ' wall hanging
Eight panels dramatically portray scenes from the Ramayana, the famed Hindu epic relating the travails and triumphs of Rama and his wife Sita. Etched on palm leaf in a style known as "lontar" this wall hanging by Nengah Dika revels in calm colors and expressive details.
Sun, 'Eclipse' (large)
Images of the past are immortalized through the fine ceramic work of Georgina Cabrera as she exults the art, symbols and beliefs of Mexico's great pre-Hispanic heritage.
Engraved brass art, 'Epic Struggle'
Seizing Naga, in strong talons, Kocha Puksa grapples with the sinuous crowned serpent, king of snakes. The bird-like Kocha Puksa has the body of a swan, the torso of a man and the head of an elephant, and is thought to dwell in the mythical Himmaphan forest.
Brass wall adornment, 'Welcome Home' (diptych)
A Warli musician plays a welcoming tune as Dhokra farmers return home in this extraordinary diptych from Suman Sonthalia and Aakriti Arts Creations. The woman carries firewood on her head, while the man carries a spade.
Mosaic wall adornment, 'Mandala Friend'
Solange and Lena Fonseca find in the classic Buddhist mandala the perfect venue for honoring a friend, as well as their country. "We named this mandala after our friend, Puke, " confide the designers. "This colorful mandala is designed to transmit Brazil's cheerful spirit.
Ceramic and bamboo panel, 'Bengali Royalty'
Ashis Kumar Biswas introduces the regal portraits of a queen and princess from West Bengal in a colorful wall panel. Biswas crafts the masks from terracotta and paints them with natural dyes. He then sets the masks over a jute weave with a wooden backing.
Engraved brass art, 'Sunflower Pyramid'
A copper sunflower blossoms with radiant beauty amid lush vegetation traditionally known in Thailand as kanok. Poonsak expertly uses decoupage techniques to achieve delicate details in brass and copper.
Brass wall art, 'Drummer Girl'
Tapping an intricate rhythm on the dolak, a young girl moves to the sound of her drum. She dresses in the ancient style of eastern India. An exceptional example of folk art, the image comes from Vineet. He works in the ancestral dhokra technique and frames the brass panel in wood.
Brass wall art, 'Venerable Elder'
This venerable village elder radiates dignity and wisdom. Bearded and solemn, he is nonetheless kindly. Vineet depicts the gentleman wearing a turban and earring. He works in the ancestral dhokra technique, a lost wax process, and frames the brass panel in wood.
Ceramic wall adornment, 'Rabbit Eclipse'
Walking in the sunshine, a man and woman espy the rabbit on the moon during a colorful eclipse. Mexican ceramists Pedro and Maria paint the ceramic wall adornment by hand, ensuring every detail tells of their country's wondrous artistry.