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In 2005, Olivia Batchelder taught a workshop at the Tuscany Institute for Advanced Studies in Montipulciano, Italy.
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At at Lyanne Batik Studios in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, traditional batik tjaps (printing blocks for wax patterning on cloth) hang along a canvas wall in the workshop.
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Owner Kamaliah Ismail operates a small workshop where wax patterned textiles are created by hand in small lots, usually 4-meter lengths.
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A skilled artisan stamps a wax-resist repeat pattern on white cloth using a traditional tjap.
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Cloth prepared for resist dyeing: Hot wax has been carefully applied with brushes in a lyrical pattern, over jacquard silk prior to dye-painting. The amber-colored wax protects resisted areas from the dye, which will be painted over the entire cloth next. When the wax is removed from the cloth at the end of the process, the protected areas will remain pure white.
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The artisan works quickly, printing on a padded table in the open-air workshop.
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Dye-painting over waxed jacquard cloth with a special wide brush composed of many smaller brushes glued together.
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In the tropical climate of Malaysia, natural ventilation and open shade keep the work area clean, efficient, and comfortable to work in.
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Leaves of the tapioca plant were used as a stencil for this contemporary design made with many drops of spattered hot wax.
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Several kinds of dye plants are grown on the property for use as natural dyestuffs. Lyanne Batiks is in the process of switching over to all natural dyes in order to be responsible to the impact of chemical dyes on our health and our environment.
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Tools of the trade - tjantings (specialized tools for drawing with hot wax in order to make original batik cloth) and special brushes for wax patterning on cloth.
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A pool filled with beautiful aquatic plants surrounds the Lyanne Batik Showroom, where finished batik cloth, as well as finished clothing and accessories, are available for sale.
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