Origin of Batik

Neither Java nor Malaysia can claim its origin because Batik was found in much older civilizations such as China, India, Egypt, and Peru and was quite prevalent in the Polynesians Islands. Only recently less than 1000 years ago, Batik came into existence in Malaysia and Indonesia.

In Europe, the Dutch who were frequent traders to Java and the east Indies introduced Batik in the early 17th century. However very little attention was paid to this medium as a work of Fine Art and it didn't gain popularity until much later towards the end of the last century when dye came into common use. Today, Batik has to come to be thought of as a Fine Art, comparable to painting in oil, water, lithograph or etching.

The first artists who awoke to the possibilities of this medium of expression were in Holland and then followed by artists such as ARTHUR CRISP, B. HARMAN and PIETA MILER of America. They developed Batik to such a high standard that it has enable artists of today to produce fine work. Artists of Malaysia are promoting this medium of art and their works have been highly praised internationally

Batik Painting

Batik is a Javanese word meaning wax painting on a piece of cloth. The basic principle is to define a theme by blocking out the white part of the material with a mixture of melted paraffin and bees wax with any impression of dots or lines. Then adding on the colours, which will be absovted by the non-wax parts. To reach the dominating theme, the wax is dissolved, leaving the colours. The processs is repeated until the artist reaches the motifs. It is a very interesting and challenging medium with to work.