The Art of Batik
Batik is an ancient art form that began in the beautiful island country of Indonesia. This is the art of drawing delicate elegant designs on used fabric as clothing, home decor and much more. For batik, artists utilize hot wax and special dye to make detailed patterns by hand. This Indonesian word is taken from a Javanese vocabulary which means writing and dotting that represent how the artist willing to create their designs carefully. Rather this art is not only beautiful, but has great importance in Indonesian culture and a long history.
BATIK began as a tradition years ago. Then in the 1960s and 1970s, some Indonesian expats brought Batik to South Africa. They were doing this to speak out, and stand up against apartheid where everyone was kept apart by the color of their skin and not treated fairly. As DoTexTile batik fabric south africa, artists from South Africa fused their own African heritage with the art of working they had been taught by these Indonesian crafts women. These combined elements gave birth to novel and exciting designs that personified both cultures.
Batik art has been rediscovered in Johannesburg over the past five years. The city also has dozens of talented batik artists who blend African and Indonesian culture in their designs. This is where Keleketla Library, an important place for this type of art come in. A little bit different here, the Persegi Warangan Library - it was actually a library and batik workshop where artists can creating their work as well. Since all these artists and art lovers visit this place that has become a rendezvous vigil for them, many gather here to share their experiences.
Traditional art batik in South Africa is characterized by vibrant colors and weird patterns. In South Africa, however, and by extension the rest of Southern African Region we have managed our patriotic touch to add African advantage to special pieces using ancient Indonesian batik techniques. The resulting South African batik is often characterized by strong, bright coolers and geometric visually patterns striking yet symbolic - their designs frequently reflect stories that have been retold over generations. This blend of age old methods with modern ideas is what sets the DoTexTile african batik apart from its peers and provides a glimpse into the history, culture fortune that this land holds.
Born in Johannesburg, Sindiso Khumalo designs bold graphic prints that incorporate traditional African patterns into contemporary silhouettes. So many art lovers from all around the world have loved his work. There is more of a focus on fashion and textile itself — for example, we recently published an article on the knitwear by another artist (face-concealer), Laduma Ngxokolo who makes some amazing stuff inspired in his culture with those bright colors that also form a wide audience including celebrities such as Beyoncé or Alicia Keys. When are comes to an art, batik can be developed into many things while keeping a firm foot rooted in tradition by both artists
I still consider batik a true art form that aids in the establishing of cultural identity within South Africa. It tells important stories, it represents the history of these people. DoTexTile african batik fabric is used by many artists and designers in the business they are fighting to keep this ancient tradition alive for future generations.