| With the recent economic "waking up" of global | | | | Due to the process and method of batik, an authentic |
| emerging markets, it would only be logical that other | | | | batik can be viewed on either side of the fabric, thus |
| social segments of such markets would enjoy a | | | | many batik arts are mounted between glass and |
| revival of sort as well, and art forms of many kinds | | | | matted as to show both sides, thus Two Arts in One. |
| are no exception to this new found revival. | | | | The batik artist, after the original pencil drawing onto |
| An artist from such an emerging market is Rita and | | | | the fabric, be it cotton or silk, uses a "canting' tool to |
| she creates within an art form which is some 2000 | | | | trace in details what the pencil drawing shows. The |
| years old and has been practiced in our western | | | | "canting" tool (imagine a small handheld funnel) is filled |
| hemisphere only sparingly, partially due to its | | | | with a certain mixture of wax (Bee/Paraffin) and kept |
| complexity, very time consuming and hot, messy | | | | at a certain temperature as to keep it in liquid form, but |
| application during the process of creating this art. Most | | | | still pasty. This wax will be applied to the fabric and its |
| everyone is familiar with this art when associated with | | | | proper temperature will allow it to penetrate the fabric. |
| linen and clothing, but less knowledgeable as to hanging | | | | The wax, upon drying will seal the fabric beneath it, just |
| wall art and framed work. | | | | like a cocoon. The artist having covered all area of the |
| The art form I am referring to is BATIK. The art of | | | | Batik with wax BUT with EXCEPTION for area to |
| Batik has several styles and forms and in accordance | | | | which a chosen color will be allowed, will actually dip |
| to global regions of their origin. There is the Chinese | | | | the fabric with the applied wax and all, into the color |
| Batik, African Batik, Ukraine Batik and Batik styles from | | | | dye chosen for the area not covered with the |
| the Americas and the Caribbean Island. All have the | | | | protective wax. In most cases the artist would start |
| same basis and use the same or similar materials in | | | | with the lighter colors. After this several minute of Dye |
| connection with this art, but it's the application process | | | | bath, the fabric is pulled and hung to drip and dry. Once |
| and its higher complexity of such application, which | | | | the just applied color is totally dry, the artist will boil the |
| differs the regional labeling. The most detailed and | | | | fabric as to remove the wax entirely from the fabric. |
| resolution wise (at least in my humble opinion) the most | | | | By the way, the removed wax is subsequently |
| beautiful Batik art form, is the not yet mentioned Java | | | | scooped up from the water, as it floats, and recycled |
| Batik, the form of Batik Art which I create and have | | | | into further use. The second step is to repeat the first |
| been for some 30 years. The extra efforts, details and | | | | step and so forth and for each layer of color |
| time consumption applied to this style of Batik Art is | | | | designated for the Batik in creation. During the washing |
| indisputably recognized by its final outcome of colors | | | | cycle of the dyed fabric a secret solution of salt and |
| so vibrant and details of work so prevalent, the viewer | | | | other chemical in a cold bath is applied as well during |
| could easily see it as "alive" if not at least visually most | | | | each process. This method of secrecy brings out the |
| penetrating. | | | | vibrancy of the colors. |
| Perhaps this would be the right moment to describe | | | | In review and analyzing of the above description of the |
| this elusive art form and its method of application, and | | | | process to create such art work, one can quickly |
| from experiences on the art show circle, I have | | | | understand the complexity, pain striking details as well |
| encountered that even judges in juried competition | | | | as the rather hot and uncomfortable environment the |
| have very limited knowledge as to the methods | | | | artist exposes him/herself to. The clean up process |
| applied and efforts behind this form of art. However, | | | | has its own challenges as well, of course. |
| whenever I'd invite such judges into my booth and | | | | An authentic batik is always and only an original, as the |
| made a presentation as to the creation of Batik Art, I | | | | working with liquid wax on fabric will NEVER leave the |
| did end up with an award for my art work. I believe | | | | exact duplicate like a print would, even if the design of |
| creating art is more than just the outcome of such | | | | the art is repeated on a second batik. The logic there |
| creation but some emphasizes should be given as to | | | | should be obvious. |
| how the artist is getting there. | | | | Although the above description of the method and |
| The word "batik" is roughly translated as "wax | | | | process to create Batik Art, it was kept very simple, |
| painting". As an art painter takes his brush of colors to | | | | as the actual complexity is heighten by the artist |
| create, a batik artist draws with the wax as to protect | | | | knowledge of mixing dyes to achieve certain special |
| area from a certain color during the dye dip process. | | | | colors, as well as crackling effect in certain batik |
| Batik is done on either silk or cotton, although the Java | | | | pieces and how it is achieved by the artist. A more |
| style of batik is mostly on cotton. Cotton, with its | | | | in-depth presentation can only be given when Batik |
| smooth and tight texture translates into higher | | | | sample is shown in association thereto. |
| resolution than the much looser and lighter silk fabric. | | | | |