Artist Made Muliana elevates the humble egg into a vessel of Balinese sacredness and beauty. His intricate egg paintings (lukisan telur) — depicting gods and goddesses, mythological tales, and serene landscapes inhabited by divine beings — bring the stories and spirit of the “Island of the Gods” to life. Barefoot and grounded like a true Balinese, Muliana channels his calm presence and devotion into every stroke.
Muliana inherited this traditional craft from his father, Bapak I Nyoman Kantor, and now serves as the resident artist at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali, in Seminyak. Once painted on delicate duck and ostrich eggs, Muliana adapted his art to hand-carved wooden canvases for visitors. Each one-of-a-kind egg takes about 2 days to make, depending on the intricacy. Muliana begins the process with detailed pencil etchings that serve as guides for layers of acrylic used to bring the composition to life. Every figure — from deities performing sacred acts to scenes of nature — radiates grace, power, and elegance, infused with texture, dimension, and profound spiritual essence.
Balinese artists, Muliana among them, put extensive thought into the spiritual subtext of every stroke. Their works often act as spiritual tools, guiding viewers toward higher consciousness and offering protection against malevolent spirits. Each piece is both a story and a safeguard, reflecting devotion, reverence, and the island’s deeply intertwined art and spirituality.
Lukisan telur by Bapak Made Muliana at The Oberoi’s daily afternoon tea, showcasing artists and local cultural experiences.
A Glimpse into an Artisan’s World
To witness a Balinese artist at work is to glimpse their inner world, their devotion, and their philosophy. On the island, art and spirituality are intertwined; each creation is an offering, layered with symbols and meaning. Through reverent depictions of nature and divine beings, the artist honors every living being within the web of life. The longer you gaze, the more the devotion and majesty of Bali is revealed.
Every hand-carved egg carries devotion, myth, and the pulse of Balinese culture through Muliana’s lens. Each piece invites contemplation, offering glimpses of the sacred, the graceful, and the divine. In his art, the island’s spirit lives, and visitors leave not only with memories of beauty but with a brushstroke of Bali’s timeless soul.
