Lamak, a collaborative work by two artists

Lamak, a collaborative work by two artists

Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Ubud, Bali

This is the first time for sculptor Pintor Sirait to
collaborate with famous tropical garden designer Made Wijaya, aka
Michael White. The result is astonishing interior and exterior
designs of Lamak restaurant in Ubud, some 20 kilometers north of
Denpasar.

The main concept of the restaurant's architectural style is a
blend of simple, traditional and elaborate contemporary Balinese
housing styles.

In the Balinese language, Lamak refers to a sacred ceremonial
utensil called lama, which is usually placed under a variety of
religious offerings.

"Lamak has inspired and become the very essence of the entire
design of this restaurant," explained Pintor.

The combination of traditional and contemporary elements in
designing the restaurant have created a simple work of art.

A graduate with a Liberal Arts degree from the University of
Nevada, Reno, in the U.S., Pintor focused more on steel
sculptures and metal works in his most recent work.

Pintor put striking accents on the restaurant's doors, panels,
stairs and flooring. A prolific producer of unique art, he
designed steel chairs highlighted with red and green upholstery,
a water container and many other items.

It is easy for Pintor, who was born to an Indonesian-German
parents, to mix Balinese traditional and contemporary elements in
his designs.

"I've been living in two different cultures for years and this
background has influenced my work," he said.

He obtained a prestigious award from World Sculpture News in
2000.

Although, he made quite a contribution to the restaurant
design, Pintor admitted that this was a result of good teamwork
with Made Wijaya and his colleagues, I Gusti Sudjana, Nyoman
Wiyoga, Dewa Putu Sedana and I Gusti Made Karang.

"You see, this ceramic tile with taro motifs was created by
Made Wijaya," Pintor said.

Made explored various floral motifs mostly found in Yogyakarta
during the Dutch colonial period.

Made Wijaya is the author of several books including Tropical
Garden, The Complete Stranger in Paradise, Balinese Architecture
and contributed to Tropical Asian Style.

I Gusti Sarjana said that the presence of Taro motifs on the
lounge and toilet floors had created a warm atmosphere within the
restaurant's simple and clean interior design.