Master I Made Ada and His Legacy
I Made Ada, a 70-year-old Balinese woodcarver from Tegallalang near Ubud, has elevated traditional Balinese carving into a world-recognized cultural heritage. His most famous creation is the mystical Garuda bird sculpture, a symbol of Bali seen at the airport entrance and even exhibited at the Hermitage Museum in Russia.
His home doubles as the Ada Garuda Gallery and Museum, filled with intricate wood and stone sculptures, carved panels, and traditional Balinese houses decorated with elaborate ornaments. Visitors can explore halls with political stone busts, Balinese musical instruments, and shrines with Hindu figures.
Ada’s career began in 1966, continuing his family tradition. His fame grew in 1981 after President Suharto bought all his works. Since then, his sculptures—Garudas, lions, dragons, and animals carved from teak, suar, ebony, sandalwood, jackfruit, and marbau—have been gifted to world leaders, including U.S. Presidents Reagan, Clinton, and Obama.
In 2002, his home was officially declared a museum by Indonesia’s president. Once offering carving workshops, the gallery remains a powerful place to experience Balinese culture and philosophy. Ada describes Garuda as “the savior of all living beings” and a symbol of balance in nature.
Though not always featured in tourist guides, Ada Garuda Gallery is one of Bali’s finest cultural attractions, easily accessible from Ubud near the Tegallalang rice terraces.
