Imparts Basic Skills and Techniques in Batik Making

The beauty of Batik products that is exclusive to the region, in particular those produced by Malaysia and Indonesia, attracts Batik lovers from all over the world.  The fame of traditional Batik craft or art also attracted the interest of some parties in Brunei Darussalam to explore and join the Batik industry.

Although the batik making industry is relatively new in the Brunei Darussalam, various efforts have been taken by several parties to increase batik production.  Among them was the Batik Making Workshop organised by the Youth Development Centre.  During the workshop, participants were taught the basic skills and technique of making Batik, starting from sketching the designs up to the colouring process.

It's not easy to produce the fine and perfect Batik designs.  It takes a lot of time, patience and diligence.  The existence of Batik provides its lovers access to designs or patterns that encompass beauty, quality and exclusiveness.  Batik is produced in varying motifs, including in patterns depicting flora and fauna. These are chosen based on their uniqueness. The conductor of the Batik Workshop, Hajah Che Yam binti Che Ibrahim said making Batik required time and creativity.  It includes life-learning process, and for Brunei Darussalam, local ideas, ways and creativity are important, in order to come out with the art in Brunei, Brunei Batik.

Batik is not only synonym with Malaysia or Indonesia, but also has a universal character. It's the patterns that differentiate them.  In Malaysia, the products of this handicraft or art are a national heritage that Malaysian communities are proud of, because of the creativity and skills involved. Normally when one speaks of Batik Lukis or drawn or sketched Batik, it reminds of one Batik Kelantan or Terengganu. Meanwhile, among the most popular cultures of the Javanese of Indonesia is the craft of written Batik that contributes to their economy. This has motivated sections of the Javanese community to take measures to preserve and protect the traditional heritage.  In Brunei Darussalam, parties involved in the local Batik industry should diversify it and explore new trends if they want to continue developing and strengthening. They should also be sensitive to the needs and demands of the global markets.

source :

http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16106%3Aimparts-basic-skills-and-techniques-in-batik-making&Itemid=80

Techniques of Producing Batik Design by 'Chanting'

One of many techniques in producing making Batik design is by using a tool called 'CHANTING'.  By incorporating natural resources, such designs are produced more creatively.  In this regard, local youths are encouraged to identify potential opportunities in Brunei Darussalam to develop the demand for Batik as a high-value and world-known product in the future.

The Embassy of Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport had organized ' The Batik Workshop With Natural Dyes ' held here for the first time. According to the embassy's Counsellor, the workshop was well received by the participants and he hoped that it will provide more ideas as well as expanding Brunei's economy through creative field. Deny Tri Basuki added, the nation has great potential in further developing its economy especially in terms of blending natural colours for textile materials.

Deny Tri Basuki also observed that Brunei Darussalam have vast areas of rain forests with its rich flora, hence they believed economic potential in this field can be achieved. This was evident with their recent discovery of yellow-coloured sap found inside a small tree branch which can be used as  a natural Batik dye, all in once proved that Brunei's natural resources are indeed possess the said potential for natural dyes in textile manufacturing industry. He further explained that the workshop explores the idea of integrating natural dyes in Batik textiles without using chemical colours is made possible.

The two-day programme was conducted by a professional expert from Indonesia to guide the participants on how to learn to produce a good Batik design as a valuable product by using only natural colours extracted from plants found abundantly in the country. Workshop instructor and researcher, Venny Afwany Alamsyah provided an insight on producing great Batik designs using Chanting technique which is actually one of the tools used in creating Indonesian Batik. She went on to say that participants got the chance to know and learn all about the whole process of making Batik as well as explored possible ways to make good use of the nation's natural resources for natural dyes.

It is hoped that the sharing of information to make good quality batik as reflected in this workshop, local community and youths will be able to give new input in expanding creative arts in Brunei Darussalam.

source :

http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13732%3Atechniques-of-producing-batik-design-by-chanting&Itemid=80

Brunei Batik Maker Plans Europe Foray

THE proprietor of Batek Desamas, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, has struck a deal with a Philippine-based company to turn his designs into accessory items, such as handbags, for export to the European market.

The venture, which is still in the research and development stage, was developed during a trip arranged by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources two months ago to attend a fair in the Philippines.

Some of the batik products of Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim 

Prototype pieces have already been designed, incorporating Zainal’s batik by a manufacturing company in Cebu.

‘‘Design-wise, Brunei’s batik is one of the best in the industry. Malaysian VIP’s as well as Japanese companies have shown keen interest in the batik I produce,’’ Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, told The Brunei Times. 

However, due to the lack of facilities for mass production, the pioneer in Brunei’s batik scene said, he was unable to meet the criteria in order to sustain a profitable trade with global partners.

There are plans for Batik Desamas to invest in better infrastructure and facilities to meet demand once the deal with the Philippine firm goes through.

In the meantime, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim,  is teaching a few students on the art of batik making.

Batik Desamas is also using batik on furniture to entice the public to purchase its creations.

‘‘Batik can be commercialised very easily... Right now, we’re injecting batik into furniture pieces (such as) standing lamps and curtains,’’ said Zainal’s student, Amir Hj Sapar, who has helped his guru seek new applications for batik designs.

‘‘Brunei needs to create the industry for batik, but our batik needs to seek its own identity. Our designs must be distinct from that of the Javanese and Malaysian batiks,’’ according to Zainal. 

At present, he said for commercial interests, his batiks are Malaysian-inspired, slightly infused with Bruneian designs such as the air muleh (traditional Brunei design) and Simpur flower. 

By educating the public on the art of batik making, Zainal is hopeful Brunei will be able to create its own distinct motif. This, he said, will make local batik more attractive in the export market.

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/2007/12/29/brunei_batik_maker_plans_europe_foray

Designing Nascent Brunei Batik Trade

HERE'S one business that need not worry about competition: Batik Desamas. Awg Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim is Brunei's sole batik producer and although he faces no local rivals, he wishes to see batik emerge from its tiny cottage industry shell into a sizeable sector.

It is, however, undeniably difficult to drive a batik industry into a recognisable at par with the lucrative batik markets of Malaysia and Indonesia when you are going it alone. 

 Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim started getting acquainted with batik painting in 2000, but due to his lack of knowledge in batik production he ceased his ambitious operation just a few years later. The attempt, nevertheless, showed him a sign that there was something in the venture that consumers would appreciate. During the initial period of his foray into batik production, he was invited to exhibit his art in a garment exhibition in Tokyo.

"I felt small next to the Malaysian and Indonesian businesses. But, surprisingly, a lot of Singaporeans and other foreign buyers were visiting my humble booth and some even bought my designs."

Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim rekindled his love for batik painting in 2005 and is now actively marketing his art to local consumers. During a trade exhibition, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Awang Goh King Chin invited Zainal to set up shop at his building, the Sumbangsih Mulia Building in the Beribi industrial estate.

Batik Desamas is now the designated platform for  Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim to showcase his art and sell them to batik lovers. 

"Brunei needs to create the industry for batik, but our batik needs to seek its own identity. Our designs must be distinct to that of the Javanese and Malaysian batiks," Zainal said, adding that at the moment, for commercial interest, his batiks are Malaysian inspired infused slightly with Bruneian designs such as the air muleh and Simpur flower.

"I will slowly try ... to introduce my batik towards Bruneian motifs."

He has established his trademark by using a part opaque, part translucent cotton material.

Raw materials imported from China are not cheap, so he cannot afford to sell his art at a lower price. Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim imports cotton and silk from China because the materials available in Brunei are not suitable for batik painting.

Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim feels that it is his responsibility to teach the art of batik making to Bruneians and other interested groups. At the moment, he teaches tuition classes and according to him, most of his students are locals.

"I am trying to understand the Brunei market and I want to teach them the batik-making process in order to develop human resource for the batik industry."

In terms of the local market, he is confident that he is able to survive but does not have the capacity to develop bigger.

"Put simply, I can create the market and industry and I know Brunei has the potential (for batik making). However, the industry needs financial backing."

At the moment, to realise his dreams for the budding industry, Zainal is grooming a few people to the art.

The creative batik painter is able to churn out 10-15 garments a month (each garment measures two to four metres) and he caters to personal requests as well. Zainal is planning to introduce batik for interiors such as upholstery and curtains.

For a boost to Batik Desama's bottom line, Zainal looks forward to "Hari Raya (which) is usually a more profitable period for my business, much like other businesses in Brunei." 

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/business/2007/08/11/designing_nascent_batik_trade