Special thanks to My Batik for extending this attraction invitation.
Visitors to Yayasan Seni can get some hands-on experience with batik-making at My Batik Workshop. The workshop is jointly-managed with Green Tomato Cafe, an al fresco dining establishment also within the compound of the art gallery. The owner herself is a lifelong batik artist by profession.
Batik is a cloth-dyeing technique that was developed by (and is still associated to) Javanese culture. Today, batik is a treasured art both in Malaysia and Indonesia. Indeed, batik textile is treated as formal attire in these countries.
Batik artwork revolves around the use of wax. Since wax is water-resistant, waxed sections of the fabric are not colored by dye. Once dye is applied, wax can be removed and the process is repeated with different wax patterns. Using a variety of colors and wax patterns, it is possible to create highly intricate motifs. A quick way to apply wax is by using a copper block stamp called “cap”.
Finer sections of wax can be applied using an etching tool called “canting”. Invented in Java, canting contains a small reservoir to hold hot wax. Liquid wax flows out of a spout, which allows the batik artist to draw lines and dots onto textile.
The next step is to apply color using a paintbrush. There are 3 colors of dye: red, yellow and blue. Other colors are derived by mixing the primary colors in specific proportions. For example, green color is derived by mixing yellow dye with blue dye.
After dyeing, a solution of sodium silicate helps to fix the colors on textile fibers. Then, wax is removed by dissolving the fabric in soda ash (sodium carbonate) solution. The fabric is allowed to dry without direct sunlight.
The batik T-shirt workshop is suitable for anyone aged 7 and above. Wax-stamping and coloring take around 90 minutes at a comfortable pace. Materials and utensils such as T-shirt, paintbrushes, dye and apron are provided. The workshop is priced at RM127.20 for individuals. Group packages are also available.
Also within the compound of Yayasan Seni, My Batik Boutique sells batik products and other batik-related merchandise. Besides this store, there is another outlet in Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2). In addition, batik enthusiasts can also shop online at their own convenience.
Name: My Batik
Address: Yayasan Seni, 333, Persiaran Ritchie off Jalan Ritchie, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-4251-5154
Business hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
Website: http://mybatik.org.my
Coordinates: 3.15871 N, 101.74046 E
Directions: From Ampang Road (Jalan Ampang), turn to Jalan Ritchie near Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur. After Kondominium Villa Aman, turn right to Persiaran Ritchie. Yayasan Seni is located on the left. My Batik is located on the side of the art gallery. Free parking is available within the compound of Yayasan Seni.
