The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master
The Lontar Master

The Lontar Master

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ᝰ THE STORY

The hands of Wayan Muditadnyana rest firmly on one of the delicate pages of his treasured lontars—handmade manuscripts crafted from dried palm leaves, inscribed with sacred stories, religious texts, and poetry. More than just written records, lontars are living archives of Balinese identity, passed down through generations as symbols of spiritual power and cultural continuity. Yet, with fewer Balinese able to read and write Sanskrit, flawlessly executed lontars have become exceedingly rare. Pak Mudita, now 92, is believed to be among the last remaining masters of this ancient craft.

Despite his age, his mind remains sharp, though shadowed by concern for the future. “I have wanted to teach the young children of Tenganan village the high level of Balinese language,” he laments. “They cry because it is too hard! It seems they no longer have the ambition to learn new things. It makes me dizzy at times to see what our world has become.” His voice, tinged with deep dismay, softens as he reflects on the stark changes between generations. “Today’s biggest obstacle is the smartphone. From morning until night, children play with their phones! I do not agree with that, but what can I do? They do not want to learn the things they should. When I was a child, there was no radio, no TV, no phone. Our lives revolved around Balinese traditions—puppet shows, reading lontars, writing poetry, and practicing our sacred dances.”

A true savant and distinguished scholar, Pak Mudita still masters five languages, including Old Javanese (Kawi) and the various levels of Balinese, along with its ancient script, Aksara Bali. With quiet pride, he shares one of his most cherished works. “I wrote this lontar myself. It took me two years. It is one of my favorites. I even engraved its title in golden letters. The story tells of a young hero facing many trials. Let me chant a few verses for you now.” As the photograph captures this moment, The Lontar Master holds the fragile manuscript with reverence, fingers gently pressing against the centuries-old script while his voice breathes life into its verses.

For centuries, lontars have safeguarded the myths, teachings, and wisdom of the Balinese people. Yet today, they are vanishing. The intricate art of their creation has become so demanding that no more are being written. When representatives from UNESCO once visited Pak Mudita and offered him Rp.400 million (about 25,000 USD) for his manuscripts, he refused. Some things, he believes, are beyond price.

📍Karangasem, Bali  🗓 2023

      ❏ Fine Art Print
      Printed on 210 gsm high-quality matte paper with 10-color digital inkjet technology. Can be matted and/or framed.

      Available in the following dimension:
      • 60 x 40 cm | 24 x 16”

      ❏ Aluminum Print
      Printed on a sleek 3-mm, triple-layered aluminum composite material for a matte, reflection-free result using state-of-the-art printing method. Water-resistant, durable UV read-to-hang print suitable for sheltered, outdoor areas. 

      Available in the following dimension:
      • 60 x 40 cm | 24 x 16”

      Collector's Limited Edition of 15 copies worldwide.

      Processed in Europe on one of the glossiest and most expensive photographic papers in the world—Fujiflex Crystal Archive.

      The Fujiflex Crystal Archive paper is a special chromogenic paper with an ultra-high-gloss surface producing the highest professional photographic substrate currently available in the world. The quality of this paper is incomparable with any other papers on the market today.

      This silver halide, true photographic printing material on a polyester base is produced to the highest gallery and competition standards. It is printed through a specialized process using laser exposure technology.

      Your photograph is not printed like other papers with ink. It is instead exposed into the silver halide base with lasers and is then chemically processed.

      The final result has to be seen to be believed as it leaves mica crystals on the paper that, when properly lit, produce a strikingly three-dimensional luxurious look and an appearance of being lit from behind.

      The artist proposes 15 copies each available in the following sizes:
      • 90 x 60 cm | 36 x 24”
      • 150 x 100 cm | 60 x 40” 

      Such paper must be mounted on appropriate substrate and/or framed correctly to guarantee the best results.

      Replica Edition
      • Free shipping worldwide;
      • Please allow up to 48 hours before your order is dispatched;
      • Delivery time is about two to three working weeks depending on your country;
      • Shipped in a sturdy mailing tube for the fine art prints and a protective cardboard box for the aluminum print;
      • Fine art prints are sent by the post office from Indonesia while aluminum prints are processed and sent from Europe;
      • A confirmation email is sent when the photo is shipped;
      • Any custom and duty fees are the responsibility of the customer;
      • Replica Edition prints come without white borders;
      • Frame not included for the fine art prints

      ★ Original Edition
      • Free shipping worldwide;
      • Please allow up to 7 days before your order is dispatched;
      • Delivery time is about two working weeks;
      • Tracking available;
      • Shipped in secure packaging handled by art professionals;
      • Sent by UPS, FedEx, or DHL from Europe;
      • A confirmation email is sent when the photo is shipped along with a digital Certificate of Authenticity and a handling and framing manual;
      • Any custom and duty fees are the responsibility of the customer;
      • Original Edition photographs come without white borders;
      • Frame not included

      Original Edition

      Fujiflex Crystal Archive

      Collector's Limited Edition of 15 copies worldwide

      Processed in Europe on one of the glossiest and most expensive photographic papers in the world—Fujiflex Crystal Archive.

      Available in the following sizes:
      • 90 x 60 cm | 36 x 24”
      • 150 x 100 cm | 60 x 40”

      Key features:
      • Remarkable surface smoothness and flatness;
      • Exceptional gloss giving a mirror-like appearance;
      • Unique pearlescent effect with excellent clarity;
      • Very large color gamut with high saturation, fidelity, and depth;
      • True photographic printing material on a 100% polyester base;
      • Highest image stability ideal for display purposes;
      • Strong resistance to light fading;
      • No ripping or yellowing for 100 years

      High-quality prints

      Free shipping worldwide

      Packaged with care

      FAQ's

      A shipping confirmation email is always sent to let you know when we shipped your photograph, along with a tracking number (only for our Aluminum prints and Original Edition photographs).

      We only sell the Replica Editions in one size: 60 x 40 cm.

      For bigger sizes, please see the Original Editions of the photo you would like to purchase.

      Upon ordering on the website, always double check your address to make sure it is accurate.

      In some rare cases, your package might be detained by customs for whatever reason (cf. Dubai). We strongly suggest you to contact your nearby post office/customs to check the shipping status of your photo.

      If your photo still hasn't arrived after the above timescales, stay patient and drop us an email to sales@imperfectframe.com with your name and order number.

      We may ask customers to leave up to 30 days before we re-dispatch an order. You will just need to pay the fees needed to ship your photograph.

      If your photo has been seriously damaged in transit, then we are sorry for the inconvenience. Please drop us an email at sales@imperfectframe.com with some photos of the damages. Only you will need to cover the shipping fees so we can ship you the same product again.

      For our Original Editions, you get a lifetime warranty, no matter what happens during transit or after. You will only be required to cover the fees needed to produce again your artwork and destroy the damaged old one.

      "La Joconde" for example was uniquely painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in the 16th century but ever since its creation, thousands of people have bought printed replicas of the painting to hang at their home. If you supposedly were the only one to own such a piece, the painting would have a worth estimation of over $800m in today's money!

      It works exactly the same in the fine art photography industry. While so many people buy from their favorite art photographers the same replicated photographs over and over again, owning a limited original edition will set you apart and make sure your artwork is authentic. Every original edition comes with a certificate of authenticity which is signed, numbered, and dated by the artist. We typically use the best photographic materials available in the world to produce your original photograph that will set a unique, timeless mood inside your space.

      As each copy is sold, the price of the next photograph of the series will increase as rarity increases and availability gets scarcer.

      Although people buy an original photograph simply because they love it, it can also be seen as your first stepping stone to fine art investment. Your numbered edition you purchased will retain value in the long term and increase in value. Once the edition is sold out and enters the secondary market, it is possible to sell the artwork at a much higher price.

      The earlier you buy your original edition photograph, the higher the increase of your fine art investment will be.

      While our matte paper is printed on a professional Epson's 10-color ink inject machine and looks beautiful, it simply cannot be compared with the Fujiflex because the substrate is totally different.

      The Fujiflex surpasses any other papers on the market today. Similar to the famous Cibachrome in feel, it has an ultra smooth, high-gloss surface. The depth and dimensional quality of the Fujiflex cannot really be described with words. Instead, it should be seen firsthand to be believed! At our art gallery in Bali, we display some Artist's Proof editions. We also have some smaller samples of other photographs in order to familiarize our customers with the Fujiflex and its difference with the Replica's matte paper.

      The depth of the substrate reflects more light which makes the Fujiflex more brilliant than any other papers, thus creating a deeper, wider, and richer color gamut than even Pearl or Metallic papers alike.

      Exclusively processed in Europe for collectors and traditionally developed on the lightjet printer from Océ, the paper guarantees extreme longevity and enrich your place with a museum-quality photograph for the decades to come.

      To run an efficient service for our customers, purchases of the photographs listed on our website will be posted out within 48 hours.

      If you wish to cancel your order, you may contact us as soon as possible before your order has been posted out. We will provide a full refund on your order.

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