WAYANG KULIT: MASTERING THE SHADOWSmore -->
The Wayang Kulit Shadow Puppets are an important cultural tradition in Indonesia, and have been a part of community life for many generations. The puppets are often used to depict ancient epic poems from India such as the stories of the Ramayana and Mahabarata. Wayang are used to depict the relationships between good and evil, and express the importance of respect, duty and loyalty. Shadow puppets have been designated by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The Wayang Kulit puppets are heavily influenced by Islam which forbids the depiction of the human form, which is the reason for the stylized shapes of the puppets. A thin cotton screen called the 鈥渒elir鈥� separates the audience and the Dalang (the puppet master), and an oil lamp lights the scene. Although you usually only see the puppet鈥檚 silhouette, they are elaborately painted. The Wayang performance is paired with a Gamelan orchestra who help bring the story and its characters to life.
The Wayang Kulit shadow puppets in our collection were brought to Canada from Indonesia by Dr. Ferdinand Chen in the early 1960鈥檚. They were graciously donated to 丁香园AV in 1996 by Dr. Chen and his family, and have been featured in major exhibitions at 丁香园AV鈥檚 Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. These particular puppets were created between 1870 and 1920, although Wayang performances date as far back as 930 A.D.
Many thanks to the late Dr. Chen and his family who graciously donated the shadow puppets to the museum. Their ongoing support and assistance is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks to the late Chris Dagg who tirelessly researched the collection and the images represented for several years, both in Canada and Indonesia, greatly adding to the catalogue.
Sutrisno Hartana has assisted the museum in many ways and helped us bring the 'message of the puppets' Dr. Chen so often spoke about to the public.
Gallery exhibit created by Jaclyn McLeod, 2015. Photography by Kristen McLaughlin and Melissa Rollit, 2017. Virtual version by Melissa Rollit, 2017.