Reliving Batik

• Main Author: Sabari, Sarinah
• Other Authors: Hong Li Tsing Karen
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Drawing, design and illustration
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/18668
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Reliving Batik is the project that I chose to work on for my Final Year Project. Batik is an international language that had travel across the universe. It is a visual language that gives a cultural identity to a community. It is very symbolical. It depicts the social culture of the society. It is alive and still living. It is used as a bridge linking one generation to another. The basis of Batik making is symbolical as well. The name Batik derived from the word Titik which means Dot. To point a dot continuously requires absolute endurance, and thus it symbolizes patience, unity and integrity. Sadly, not many understand and can appreciate the art of Batik and the meaning it conveys. This traditional art form has existed and still living up till today. Although Batik has never formed a Singapore Identity, we cannot deny that Batik has been part of our history and the nearby region. The popularity of batik here is greatly reduced compared to the yester-years. This could be due to the rapid advancement of modern technology. Batik no longer holds a category on its own unlike in Indonesia and Malaysia. Therefore, I am taking Batik, the traditional art form of this region to the modern audience in Singapore. Batik is derived from ethnic roots. It symbolizes our multi-cultural and multi-racial identity. Not forgetting our roots, lets advance toward the future along with our traditions and bring it to a new height. Besides, Batik is a unique artistic tradition that is of high value; simultaneously making the Asian society a unique one.