My Batik Teachers 

to whom I am deeply grateful. 

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Batik and natural dyes have fascinated me since I first visited Indonesia a few decades ago.

 My appreciation for this art form has continued to grow over time.

 

I am especially grateful to the following batikers

who have generously shared their knowledge and wisdom with me. 

 

 

 

 

Batik Kinan (formerly Batik Larasati), Blitar, East Java. 

The first time I tried Batiking was with my friend Hendry over 25 years ago when I first visited Java. 

We kept in touch over the years and about 10 years ago I joined his sister's batik group in Blitar East, Java for a few weeks where I learned more about natural dyes, pattern design, and more. She is part of a local initiative to provide local women with batik-making and marketing skills. Her batik group has been recognized both provincially and nationally.  

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Agus Miki Prasetyo

While studying traditional art at ISI Denpasar, Bali, (2008-2009)

I had the good fortune to meet Gondorukum a group of Javanese

students who were extremely enthusiastic about sharing batik.  

Agus Miki Prasetyo encouraged me to create my own batik group

to whom he generously  taught the basics of batik including the

importance of patience and enjoying this practice in a group setting. 

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Pdf of some words I wrote for an exhibition that Master Miki's

organized earlier this year (2022) for his two young daughters who

are already batiking despite being 5 & 7 years old!!

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Pak Hendry of Bixa-Batik. 

While learning batik in Bali, I traveled to Central Java to take a short but essential course in the basics of natural dyes from natural dyes pioneer Pak Hendry Suprapto R.IP. Without Pak Hendry's generosity of spirit, consistent encouragement and calm but palpable enthusiasm for natural dyes that he shared with dyers all over Indonesia, I would certainly have given up before even starting. 

 

 He kindly shared with me crucial information, as well as heartfelt inspiration to pursue this painstaking method of coloring batik cloth using natural dyes. The following is  a short documentary I made for Pak Hendry in 2009  in which he shares his knoweldge and passion. 

 

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Mas Tatang Elmy Wibowo of Batik Leksa Ganesha

After practicing batik in Canada for a few years, I returned to Java and had the good fortune of encountering Mas Tatang Elmy Wibowo of Batik Leksa Ganesha. I have and continue to learn a great deal from this whole family and the many masterful batikers who make up this batik hub.

 

 I have visited Batik Leksa Ganesha many times to continue learning about natural dyes, batik intricacies, history, and more. Mas Tatang's family is near and dear to me and has taught me much beyond batik itself. 

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