THE BATIK PROJECT

A collection of artworks created using the Indonesian batik technique.

The plane of thought at the superstring level. 2009. 105 x 450 cm. (41.3 x 177.1 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

DEIFICATIO, vision of an alchemy student. 2010. 104 x 380 cm. (40.9 x 149.6 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

Visions of a possible future. 2008. 90 x 198 cm. (35.4 x 77.9 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

Hospites planetarium. 2008. 105 x 190 cm. (41.3 x 74.8 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

Approaching the Corpus Hermeticum with new eyes. 2008. 105 x 240 cm. (41.3 x 94.4 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

Music of the spheres, the song of a fractal. 2008. 104 x 190 cm. (40.9 x 74.8 inch) Batik (napthol on primissima fabric)

Thoughts of structures. 2009. 105 x 194 cm. (41.3 x 76.3 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

Microprocessors near the eruption of a supernova. 2009. 105 x 196 cm. (41.3 x 77.1 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

The ambience of sacred knowledge and the aura of ancient Hellenic magical scripture. 2009. 105 x 465 cm. (41.3 x 183 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 

Nothing can come out of nothing. 2009. 100 x 115 cm. (39.3 x 45.2 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 
 

Apocrypha 1 -from the 5 keys of consciousness series. 2009. 291 x 104 cm. (114 x 41 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 
 

Apocrypha 2 -from the 5 keys of consciousness series. 2009. 289 x 104 cm. (114 x 41 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 
 

Apocrypha 3. -from the "5 keys of consciousness" series. 2009. 289 x 104 cm. (114 x 41 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 
 

Apocrypha 4 -from the "5 keys of consciousness" series. 2009. 290 x 104 cm. (114 x 41 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 
 

Apocrypha 5 -from the "5 keys of consciousness" series. 2009. 292 x 104 cm. (115 x 41 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 
 

Journey of a neutrino. 2008. 146 x 51 cm. (57.4 x 20 inch) Batik -naphthol dye colours on primissima cotton fabric.

 
 

The Batik method

A short description.

The basis of a batik is a white cloth made of natural fiber (usually cotton or silk). Traditionally, the design is hand-drawn on the cloth with a pencil. The marked design in the cloth is then covered with wax. After being treated with wax the cloth is then submerged in a liquid dye. Only the area of the cloth that is not concealed by the wax is coloured.  Next the cloth is left to dry before the next part of waxing the design takes place. After the second part of waxing is complete, the cloth is submerged again in dye of different colour. This process of applying wax and dye colouring is repeated as many times is desired. Finally, after all the colours have been applied by the subsequent immersions and the design is complete by covering with wax parts of the cloth, the wax that has accumulated in the cloth is removed with boiling water and hand-scrubbing.  

My batik studio in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In the first photo I am drawing using the tjanting tool. In the last photo I am calculating the fire in the stove. The temperature of the wax must be correct. If it is not hot enough, the wax will not run through the nozzle of the tjanting. If it is too hot, the wax will drip freely and instead of a line, it will create a stain in the fabric.

 

The last stage of the process. Thoroughly scrubbing by hand the artwork from any little pieces of wax that may have remained in the cloth from the previous cleaning stage.

Batik practised by Indonesian craftswomen/men.