Spain: Wayang Golek, Valencia

January 2020

While exploring a largely shuttered Valencia (due to Epiphany), I came across this outdoor painting. I was surprised mainly because Indonesian art is not very popular outside of Indonesia (with the exception of the Netherlands). What was even more striking to me was that it was not the entrance to an Indonesian restaurant - it appeared random. Wayang Golek in Valencia?

I was filled with questions - it was all so unexpected. The mural was also "incorrect". Three kinds of puppetry (wayang) still exist on the Island of Java: Golek (western), Kulit (central), Kletek (eastern). Additionally, Wayang Kulit is performed in Bali. If any of the forms of puppetry is "famous" outside of Indonesia, it would be Wayang Kulit - shadow puppets. Those performances are still conducted in Central Java (for locals) and Bali (for tourists). The other kinds largely remain as art forms only. What I ran into was a painting of Wayang Golek (well-executed) with Balinese temples incorrectly placed in the background. Anyone who knew enough about Indonesia to paint Wayang Golek in such detail should have known that, I surmised (maybe not).

I loved the randomness of the discovery. The fact that it was a little off-base was overshadowed by my curiosity. Why that subject?

Spain always provides great exterior art. Valencia did not let me down.