The body of an elderly sculptor was found dead and decomposing in an Ubud gallery on Tuesday, with authorities suspecting that he had died of natural causes.
The 86-year-old man identified as I Ketut Nongos was last seen on Thursday, according to reports. Nongos works as a sculptor at Tjokot Art Gallery in Ubud, where he was found lying on the floor.
“The body of the victim was bloated and decomposing,” Ubud sub-precinct chief, I Made Tama, said yesterday. Authorities suspect that Nongos died of old age, and explained that his family refused to authorize an autopsy as they have already accepted his passing.
Nongos is the fourth child of sculpture legend Nyoman Tjokot, who made his name when he gained international recognition in the 1930s. Tjokot’s work is widely appreciated for its unique style, and the Indonesian government awarded him the Anugrah Seni award in 1969.
The maestro died in 1971, and his five sons, out of seven children, carried on his legacy while adding their own flairs to their sculptures. Nongos’ body was found by his nephew’s wife, who was going to bring him some rice.
The nephew, I Made Boy Purnamajaya, said that his uncle was often on his own after his wife passed away. The couple didn’t have any children, though Boy said he had been regarded as a son when Nongos was alive.
