Petrus Lengkong

Benius Petrus Peter Lengkong (12 December 1946 – 5 January 2018), better known as Petrus Lengkong, was an Indonesian artist and former Indonesian Army officer best known for popularizing Dayak arts, especially wood carving and sculpture. Due to his work in preserving Dayak arts and culture, he received several awards from Indonesian government.

Early life Petrus Lengkong was born in the village of Rangkang, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, on 12 December 1946. His parents were both Minahasan migrants from North Sulawesi. Since his childhood, he was interested in native Dayak culture which were practiced by people around him. At the age of 13, he often participated in traditional rituals and dances.

Career During the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation, he volunteered to join the Indonesian Army as a soldier. During his spare time in the barracks, he started practicing wood carving and making several Dayak sculptures. and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. As a senior artist, he appeared in several events abroad such as in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Malaysia.