intricate design

Wayan Rendah portrays Rama and Sita in crocodile wood, the Ramayana protagonists sculpted with beautiful realism. As the first son of the royal family, Rama was heir to the kingdom of Ayodya. But the king's second wife tricked him into crowning her own son as king and sending Rama and his wife Sita into exile. The beautiful woman was kidnapped by the ogre-king, but Rama sent Hanoman, the white monkey god, to her rescue.

Depicting a mother with a child slung over her back as she pours water from a bowl, this intriguing and intricate sculpture from Ghana is designed by Victoria Agyepomaa. She works with local artisans who hand-carve the sculpture of sese wood with a two-tone finish in brown. The sculpture is named Yaa Maame, Yaa being the name of a girl born on Thursday and Maame being a name given to mothers.

A Shaolin monk prays in earnest in this lovely sculpture, as designed and cast by Indonesian artisan Wayan Kandiyasa. Cement and sand transform into the intricate details of the physical features and clothing. The handiwork shines through with an antique finish.

Madhubani painting is a cultural art form from India that originates from the village of Maithili, and was traditionally performed by women. Vidushini uses an array of vibrant colors to depict a split image between Shiva and Parvati from Hindu beliefs. Representing a celestial union between the two lovers, their new form is known as "Ardhnareshwar." The artist surrounds her subject with intricate designs and leaf motifs.

This exceptional oil painting is a celebration of Guatemalan culture and traditions. A sitting woman, dressed in a traditional outfit with a long, deep blue skirt, represents the identity and heritage of her country. The vibrant colors and serene posture suggest a deep connection with nature and spirituality. Artist Carolina Cabrera works with Japanese paper on canvas as a background, expertly painting it with acrylics and oils until the desired texture is achieved. She completes this magnificent scene with exquisite accents such as petite glass beads, intricate cotton stitching and colorful pom poms.

Titled Descanso in Spanish.