A TOTAL of 32 Year 11 students from Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Secondary School, accompanied by their teachers, made an educational visit to Desamas Batik factory yesterday, where they were given an opportunity to produce their own Batik.
At Desamas Batik, they met local batik master craftsman, Brunei's batik designer, Haji Zainal Abidin bin Hj Ibrahim who taught the students how to utilise heated candles to wax their drawings, using a toolset called “canting”. Before “chanting”, the students designed their “motif” (artistic drawings) on the four-metre long fabric using pencil.
The group also learnt about Haji Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim’s research on using natural ingredients such as local plants as opposed to synthetic ingredients for the batik.
According to one of the teachers, Rose, the practical trip was very relevant for their Art as well as English classes. Concerning their Art classes, the trip gave the students a chance to practice and experience the making of batik as well as meeting the master craftsman.
It also provided an opportunity for their English classes where the school’s English Department had recorded an interview with Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim for their English listening practices.
“I like to do this kind of things with the students, because it gives them something that is more real and practical. It also gives them confidence in what they can do and the batik they produced will be valued.”
Rose added that the students have already started doing their batik design at school, thus their trip to Batik Desamas was a valuable experience. She stressed that it is important for the students to explore what is happening in Brunei rather than relying mostly on stocked recordings at the school.
In an interview, Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim was delighted to host the workshop for the students at Batik Desamas. He believed that the batik making will not only enhance the creativity of the students but can also teach valuable lessons such as teamwork and coordination.
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| Brunei Students waxing Batik’s motive at Batik Desamas |
Although the programme with students yesterday involved the usage of synthetic ingredients, Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim believed that with the introduction of natural colours in the making of batik, more people will be attracted to purchase batik for its natural appeal.
He also emphasised that batik is a good medium to promote local identities through its motif or pattern designs.
Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim is also providing a workshop on how to use natural resources for making batik at the Indonesian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam today (August 28) and tomorrow. He hoped that through the workshop, more people will be aware of the beauty of batik’s natural colours.
According to Rose, the top three students will be invited to attend the workshop. The students were selected by the school’s Art Department, based on their mid-year examination results and also how far they have progressed in preparing for their respective portfolios on batik.
Apart from making batik for local gowns, Batik Desamas is also trying to make batik for Kimono and other foreign traditional clothing. In his upcoming trip for an exhibition in Korea, Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim will use natural colouring to demonstrate the process of making batik.
source :
http://borneobulletin.brunei-online.com.bn/?p=110722
