Visual Arts Centre

BATIK

Interested to learn more about Batik?

Join us in our upcoming BATIK HANDKERCHIEF WORKSHOP 2023 on 25 February, Saturday from 2pm to 4.30pm at our Macpherson Art Studio! This course is suitable for students 12 years old and above! 

Batik Handkerchief Painting Workshop 2023

Workshop Details:

Date: 25 February 2023, Saturday

Time: 2 PM – 4.30 PM

Venue: VAC Macpherson Studio

Price: $75 *All materials will be provided including a 30cm x 30cm handkerchief.  

Suitable for students 12 years old and above!

Visual Arts Centre Holiday batik painting
Visual arts Centre Holiday batik painting

Originated from Java, Indonesia, Batik is a traditional art formed by a unique wax-resist dyeing technique.

Batik has become a means of artistic expression for many people in Asia and has become deeply entrenched in the Asian culture. Batik is done when hot wax beads or blocks are melted over fire. The hot wax is then scooped up with the canting and used to draw on the fabric. Fabric dyes is then painted on the fabric, with the applied wax resisting the dyes. When the colouring is completed, remove the applied wax by submerging the cloth in boiling water, hairdryer or using an iron to melt the wax.

 

HISTORY

Batik is listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage Cultural Heritage of Humanity List. Batik can be found all around Indonesia – Batik designs adorning the walls of the house and adorned on clothing. Batik plays an important role in the Indonesian culture. Batik paintings are incorporated into many events and situations, from the celebrations of birth, marriage and even in funerals. Batik designs are influenced from various cultures – Arabic, European, Chinese and many other cultures. Batik has many symbolic meanings and expresses creativity and spirituality. Batik is thought be more than 1,000 years old, with the most traditional designs made with natural ingredients, giving batik the unique blue and brown colours.

Batik is also celebrated on a day – Hari Batik Nasional. This day is on October 2 and marks the anniversary of when UNESCO recognised batik as a piece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. On this day, people dress up in this traditional design.

 

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Canting / tjanting – this is your paint brush when it comes to batik painting. The canting is a compact, thin wall spouted copper container that is fixed to a bamboo handle. Cantings come in different sizes for different applications. The canting is filled with melted wax and one uses it to draw the designs on the cloth.

Wax – different types of wax can be used in batik. Most people use beeswax or paraffin. The wax must be melted to the right temperature such that it is not too hot that it will flow too quickly or not too cold that it will clog the canting.

Dyes – traditionally, batik was indigo in colour. In some cases, people associate the colours of the dyes to religious figures.

Fabric – silk or cotton was the most common way to go, however, modern day artisans have now begun using chiffon, cheesecloth or even velvet to create their pieces.

Read more about Batik by clicking on this link! The article was written by our workshop instructor, Tony! Silkair | A Handy Guide to Indonesian Batik

Visit Tony’s website to learn more cool facts about Batik! aNERD Gallery | Batik

Interested to learn more about Batik?

Join us in our upcoming BATIK HANDKERCHIEF WORKSHOP 2023 on 25 February, Saturday from 2pm to 4.30pm at our Macpherson Art Studio! This course is suitable for students 12 years old and above! 

Batik Handkerchief Painting Workshop 2023

Workshop Details:

Date: 25 February 2023, Saturday

Time: 2 PM – 4.30 PM

Venue: VAC Macpherson Studio

Price: $75 *All materials will be provided including a 30cm x 30cm handkerchief.  

Suitable for students 12 years old and above!

Visual Arts Centre Holiday batik painting
Visual arts Centre Holiday batik painting

For registration or any enquiries, please contact 6255 0711 / 67332155 or drop us an email at [email protected]

Visual Arts Centre Macpherson

Address: AZ@Paya Lebar, 140 Paya Lebar Road, #03-04, Singapore 409105

Exit from Macpherson MRT Station Exit A and turn left, we are right across the road, 1 minute walk away!

Our Schedule
new vac schedule 2024 dhoby ghaut
new vac schedule 2024 macpherson
Our Location

Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio

Visual arts Centre kids holiday

Address:

10 Penang Road, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green,
Singapore 238469

Exit from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station Exit B and turn left, we are there in 30m!

MacPherson Art Studio

Visual arts Centre Macpherson kids holiday

Address:

AZ@Paya Lebar, 140 Paya Lebar Road, #03-04,
Singapore 409105

Exit from Macpherson MRT Station Exit A and turn left, we are right across the road, 1 minute walk away!

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