I Made Arya Dwita Dedok (Dedok) wears a broad, engaging smile--except when he’s translating. During his printmaking residency at the Studio Center, Dedok has been doing a lot of both. A VSC Freeman Fellow from Bali, Dedok says his traditions are the breath for his life and power for his artwork.  His monoprint and blockprint images often borrow directly from Balinese symbols, particular the “Barong,” which appear as central, protective figures in his work.  Whether in the form of a pig, elephant or tiger and human, the barong are an expression of love, peace, interaction and positive thinking.

Born in the capitol city Denpasar, Dedok‘s father and mother encouraged him to pursue his art education, and he received a scholarship to attend the Indonesia Institute of Art in Yogyakarta, Java.  Many artists there have served as mentors for Dedok, including his artist wife, Grace Tjondronimpuno, who also received a Freeman Fellowship in 2007.