AnArtful Journey to Malaysia’s Batik Weekby Michelle NewmanWhenone thinks of fabric Batik, what often comes to mind are the ancientcultures and leftover hippy-dippy caftans like the ones Mama Casswore back in the 1970s. Put these images aside and permit me to introduceyou to modern Malaysian Batik — a whole new world of art, anda spectacle to behold.MalaysianBatik is fresh, fashion-forward, and edgy. And this modern-day styleof Batik is now penetrating European and American markets. With itscouture quality, Malaysian Batik is equally at home on any New Yorkor Paris runway. This is a world-class textile and art form that is“here and now.”Duringa three-month artistic odyssey through Asia, I attended 'MalaysianBatik Week' presented by Kuala Lumpur International Batik (KLIB)— an equally world-class event.Imaginea major Batik extravaganza, featuring daily activities including aBatik fun walk, endless fashion shows, bazaars, demonstrations, a“Little Miss Batik” pageant, a soft-furnishings exhibition,and other related competitions — all this to celebrate an artform that goes back many centuries.
In fact, the term batikitself is an Indonesian-Malay word. The official languages of Indonesiaand Malaysia are Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malay, and both havelinguistic similarities.Batik artists,designers, and entrepreneurs converged from all over the world toattend the event. Exhibitors from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia wereon hand to showcase their breathtaking textiles. Key presenters spokeon contemporary Batik and business issues, branding, the use of soy wax as an alternative to beeswax,and the history of Batik.Seriousprize money was at stake for designers entering competitions in differentcategories in fashion and home furnishings. All of this activity wascapped off by an evening of glitz and glamour at the finals fashionshow and gala, as one exquisite creation after another made its waydown the runway. This exclusive event was emceed by CNN’s LorraineHahn and graced by the presence of the King and Queen of Malaysia,their entourage, and even the nation’s prime minister.Combiningart and travel, I got an insider’s look at an art form thatis indigenous to these cultures.
Like the proverbial kid in a candyshop, I marveled at a wide variety of designs on the fabrics displayed,from hand-painted tropical and floral motifs made by applying hotwax with brushes and tjanting tools to more contemporary stripes,swirls, and splashy prints. These extrtaordinary designs dominatedthe runway, with much of the inspiration evidently coming from Malaysia’slush jungles and verdant tropical scenery. This is another indicationof how landscape influences art; a concept that admirers of Europeanart — especially of painters like Gaughin — will relateto.The models,by the way, were drop-dead gorgeous with their makeup and hair equallyas exotic as their ensembles.
Jagged, beaded hemlines and fabric edgesaccented chiffon skirts and tops. The fashions were sexy, revealing,and expressed a kicky attitude. This was Batik theater in the grandestsense.ABit of Batik HistoryThe late, (the Prime Minister's wife)who was absolutely committed to the revival of the Batik industryin Malaysia, spearheaded a movement that began in 2003. She was determinedto make Batik a household word and put it on the world map.
Jan 23, 2010 Types of handicrafts products include Brass / Copperware, Keris, Lidi Weaving, Mengkuang / Pandan Weaving, Rebana Ubi, Wau and Rattan. The agency in charge, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (MHDC) has ambitious plans to increase skilled craftsmen in line with the vision to develop and preserve the heritage craft industry. About MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:-Registered in 2004, MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION has made a name for itself in the list of top suppliers of in Malaysia. The supplier company is located in Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur and is one of the leading sellers of listed products.
She alsoencouraged Malaysians to “wear Batik with pride” and totake pride in their rich culture and heritage.Armed withthe mantra “Malaysia Batik: Crafted for the World” DatinSeri Endon set about making her vision a reality — until shewas diagnosed with breast cancer. This didn’t stop her efforts,for she pursued her mission as long as she could.
As a result of thisBatik movement, the KLIB event — under the leadership of CEOPuan Leela Mohd Ali and Director Stephen Doss — is now in itsthird year.The Malaysiangovernment has supported its craftspeople significantly since 1974with the establishment of,a government organization under the auspices of the ministry of culturethat is designed to promote Malaysian handicrafts and culture. Thisoutstanding program serves as a role model for the arts and textileindustries of other countries.Along with,the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation’s marketingwing and retail outlets, Kraftangan provides educational handicrafttraining, an artist-incubator program, entrepreneurial training, salesand promotion of handicrafts, and a Batik research and developmentcenter.
Students and emerging artists are provided with the necessaryskills to become more financially self-sufficient and independent.Many of the program’s early attendees and participants haveopened Batik businesses that are hugely successful, which also helpsto provide income for local villagers.Malaysiais fully committed to promoting Batik through non-governmental organizationsas well as government-sponsored programs and agencies such as Kraftangan.The common goal is simply to make Malaysia a Batik capital. I can'tthink of any other country that has shown as much dedication to helpingartists and craftspeople develop, grow, and attain economic independence.This is a country that takes its culture and handicrafts seriously.Thanksto Dato Zakiah Ahmed, the director of Kraftangan and her loyal anddedicated staff, I got a glimpse into this outstanding program thateducates, nurtures and supports its artists.
Under Kraftangan, the(IKN) is a government-sponsoredhandicraft school that trains 500 to 600 students annually in craftcategories such as Batik, weaving, and wood carving. Each student’stuition, supplies, and materials are all provided, and they are givena monthly stipend. Furthermore, they are trained by a very experiencedfaculty.Studentscan earn either a two-year certificate or a three-year diploma intheir respective fields. I spent one afternoon with Juhari Azmi andFaridah Salehan in the Batik Department at IKN observing the programand becoming familiar with the curriculum. The impressive and comprehensiveBatik Program has an emphasis on natural as well as chemical dyeingusing the tjanting tool and tjap (printing block).AMalaysian MosaicLike thediversity of the Batik world itself, in Malaysia you will find a fascinatingmosaic of ethnic groups and religions. Hindus, Buddhists, Moslems,and Christians peacefully co-exist and respect each other’sdifferences.
While in the region, I attended a city-wide “HariKrismas” party given by the King and Queen and was very touchedwhen the Queen took my hand and wished me a “Merry Krismas”from the back of her maroon Rolls Royce.The blendingof Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures in this area of the world createsa colorful collage of cultural motifs and themes, many of which arereflected in the Batik creations. This exotic concoction also is reflectedin the enticing cuisine, so be prepared to gain a minimum of fivepounds on your visit; elaborate buffets are quite popular throughoutthe region. In addition to feeling quite at home in the artistic communityin Malaysia, I also felt quite secure in the country. The MalaysiansI met were all kind-hearted, warm, and friendly people. Making visitorsfeel welcome also seems to be a national art form.As an artistmyself, the world of Batik was not a new experience for me. However,experiencing the innovativeness, the creativity, and the contemporaryMalaysian Batik industry did teach me how important it is for allnations to appreciate and value the vibrant arts industries that helpdefine a national culture.
For artists and art aficionados, emphasizingthe integration of a global arts community is one more way we canpromote international peace and understanding.TheBasics of BatikBatikis a wax-resist process in which hot melted wax is either brushedon, block printed ( tjap), or applied with tjantingtool in certain areas of the fabric. During the the dyeing processtherefore, the dye will not penetrate the area that is covered withthe wax. In the Batik dyeing process, the lighter colors are dyedfirst on the cloth by either immersing it in a large vat, or thedye is directly handpainted onto the the fabric. Once the fabrichas dried, additional areas of the original designs are paintedagain with another layer of wax to preserve the lighter color, andsubsequently over-dyed in a darker color.
Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Vision Institute
You always work from lightto dark. This process continues until the artist is satisfied withthe results and deems the piece finished. Layers of dye and waxare also used to create dimension and surface interest. Once thepiece is complete, the wax is removed by either boiling, dry cleaning,or ironing.
The Batik fabric is then ready to be used in creatinga garment, wall hanging, or other creation such as a quilt.LearnMore about Batik and MalaysiaThe followingwebsites will give you additional insight into this nation and itsBatik industry.Alsovisit:Photographs by MichelleNewman.
The Ministry of Information Communications and Culture (KPKK) is a ministry that combines the previous Ministry of Information, Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage and the Communications component from the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications. The merger is a result of the Cabinet reshuffle following the appointment of Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak as the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia on 3 April 2009. The Cabinet reshuffle was announced by the Prime Minister at Putrajaya on 9 April 2009. The Information Communications and Culture Ministry is divided into three sectors: Information Sector, Culture Sector and Communications Sector. These three sectors comprise the Departments and agencies under the ministry.
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The management and support services are placed under the Management sector.1. Management sector. Human Resource Management Division. Finance Division. Development Division. Accounts Division. Information Management Division.
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Communications Content and Postal Services Division4. Culture sector. Contact Details of Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture MalaysiaMinistry of Information, Communication and Culture (Kementerian Penerangan Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan)Address: Kompleks Sultan Abdul Samad, Jalan Raja 50610 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Telephone: 603-2612 7600Fax: 603-2693 5114Email: eaduan@kpkk.gov.my / webmaster@kpkk.gov.myWeb Site: Directory: http://www.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Main/GovDirectory/Pages/GovernmentDirectory.aspx. Disclaimer: Although every effort has been done to make the content as accurate as possible, Malaysia Central shall not be liable for any inaccuracy in the information provided here. The information here should only be used as a guide only and is subject to change any time by the respective websites, companies or entities where the information was sourced from.
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