view from the garden at the studio villa in lombok

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The Glass Islands

The Glass Islands, a year in Lombok, is published by Monsoon Books, a UK-Singapore-based publishing house. Released in September 2023, this is Mark’s second book about Indonesia. Mark is one of the owners of The Studio – and the book is all about how he and his wife, Ibu Sopan, developed the Hill and designed and built the Studio!

The book was presented at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in October 2023, and launched at community events in Senggigi on November 3^rd and in Hobart on December 14^th. It was exactly ten years after the launch of Mark’s first book, Crazy Little Heaven, an Indonesian journey, which was described by veteran Australian journalist, Tim Bowden, as “the best book on Indonesia I have read.”

My island homes

What is it about islands? About islanders?

Is it something to do with having clearly defined boundaries, a sense of being held in the embrace of a cold sea, self-contained, isolated, far from the centres of power, from the smoky conurbations of the world; is it this that creates resilience, that gives us such a strong community, such a powerful sense of home, such a powerful identity?

The symbolism of a Javanese joglo

The structure of the traditional joglo is rich in meaning. For those who can read the symbolic language, The Studio tells a story.

The architecture tells a story of the human body, of the soul and the balance of male and female.

Kids at the Studio; Lombok for families

From impromptu lessons with locals, to bathing in spring water pools and kayaking through rushing canyons, Indonesia is nothing but intrigue and imagination for kids.

Birds and Butterflies

The Studio welcomes birders: just ask for the ‘birder’s discount’. Book directly through this website, declare that you are a birder, and we will give you a discount on the rental rate. All you need to do then is to share details of any bird or butterfly sightings with us. (And photos would be great, too!)

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An Artist’s Retreat in Lombok

As well as being a family home and a guest house, the Studio was always envisaged as a refuge for nature and a retreat for artists. We welcome musicians, writers and artists. A number of exhibitions and small scale concerts have been held in the Studio to promote the work of local artists and musicians.

Music at The Studio

A place where music and culture is entwined in a celebration of life and the freedom to roam.

Over the years, the occasional Music on the Hill, Sunday Sessions’ at the Studio have become popular with the local Indonesian and expatriate communities, providing an opportunity for musicians, performance artists, poets and dancers to perform to an attentive audience in a relaxed and unique setting.

The Studio; a writers’ residence in Lombok

Studio owner, Mark’s book, Crazy Little Heaven, offers readers an affectionate insight into Indonesia and its diverse culture… Heyward’s prose is evocative… Crazy Little Heaven is a welcome addition to studies of Indonesian culture. The book is also a testament to Heyward’s skills as a wordsmith.

His later coffee table book, Looking for Borneo, is a celebration of the island of Borneo, its environment and its people. At the same time, it is a call to action, a plea to save this special place from the ravages of development. A collection of writings, drawings, photographs and music, inspired by Kalimantan and Mark Heyward’s acclaimed book, Crazy Little Heaven, an Indonesian Journey, this new volume is a unique artistic collaboration and a fine contribution to the body of Indonesian travel literature. Khan Wilson’s quirky and memorable artworks complement the narrative in the same way that a fiery sambal complements a dish of fried rice, adding a splash of colour, a little spice and a sense of fun.