The Art of Batik
Most people describe the art of batik as ancient. While it dates back some 2,000 years, “ancient” speaks to an old thing that is long in the past. The art of batik is still relevant and practiced worldwide today.
So what exactly is batik? The history of batik is long and rich with culture and heritage. Although it is practiced in many countries, Java, Indonesia is commonly believed to be its origin. Regardless of origin, batik is a technique used in resist dyeing of textiles. It uses molten wax to imprint the fabric blocking absorption of dyes hence making patterns.
Traditionally, batik is done in 3 ways:
Batik tjanting is a special tool used to write/draw with molten wax on fabric. Dye is applied to the cloth after the wax dries. This process is repeated until the desired pattern is achieved.
- Drawing with batik tjanting
- Batik tjantings
A batik tjap is a special stamp made from copper with a wooden handle. When the stamp/tjap is dipped in molten wax and applied to the fabric, the wax forms the resist that blocks the absorption of the dye, hence imprinting the pattern from the stamp.
- Batik tjap (copper stamp)
- Tjap imprint on fabric
- Dyed fabric
These tools can also be used in combination. Tjaps are used to stamp the main design and smaller details are added with the tjanting. This produces a more complex batik fabric.
Other Application Methods
You are not, however, restricted to these tools. Lots more fun can be had using items found around the home. Any item that can make an imprint and hold its shape in molten wax can be used in batik making. Items like toilet paper tubes, brushes, textured sponges, corrugated cardboard, wine corks, sewing thread spools all make very interesting designs.
Stamping circles on fabric with masking tape tube and molten wax!
So, some fabric, wax, dyes, found objects and lots of imagination can yield amazing results!