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

The New Tradition of Batik Brunei

HAJI ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim laughs quietly, his hand swatting away my presumptuous question. “No, no. Batik was never a traditional art in Brunei,” he says. I knew that, of course, from his statements in the past about his art but I wanted to hear it for myself. It’s a strange admission, given that batik is fiercely contested as a traditional art in the region.

HAJI ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim

Indonesian batik has won that “contest” – listed by UNESCO in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanityowing to its proven origins centuries ago in Java, much to the chagrin of Malaysian batik proponents, some who still lay claim as owners of batik and deny any influence from Indonesian batik.

In any case, it’s unimportant to Hj ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim. He has previously gone on record to pinpoint Malaysian batik’s emergence to its introduction in the 1970s through formal educational institutions. Its ongoing development and emphasis on Malaysian-inspired designs for originality are also how Hj ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim hopes to grow Brunei’s own fledgling batik industry, an industry that invariably turns to the Bruneian entrepreneur for guidance.

He is, after all, the one that started it all here. The pioneering man has been making batik in Brunei for over a decade. The latter part of his time has been invested into a designing process that uses digital technology, enabling mass production and, therefore, giving more people access to his products.

However, it is still the traditional methods that appeal to him the most. And when students from Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja Secondary School (SMPDSM) came to visit Hj ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim’s production site in late August, it was the traditional methods that they learnt.

the Brunei student learn how to batik canting

“My preference is this traditional method. It is only after you master the traditional methods can you explore Batik technique. When I design, I mix both and that’s my edge, whether in terms of printing, technique or execution. It’s very rare to find masters of both,” he says.

Naturally, the only way for my trade to be profitable is to reach outside markets, and the response has been very encouraging. In the past three years, interest has just grown, through exhibition requests both local and international. But the nature of digital is mass production and there is some missing aspects from traditional batik. How does batik last for hundreds of years? From traditional wisdom that gives enduring strength,” adds Hj Zainal.

He tells about his latest research that draws on traditional strength: the use of natural dyes. “Even in Indonesia, it’s only starting. Here, I have some knowledge but no practical development yet. Tomorrow will be the first formal discussion about it.”

He refers to his participation in the “Batik Workshop with Natural Dyes” organised by the Indonesian embassy, where he and Indonesian batik researcher would discuss the use of natural dyes in batik design.

“It’s important for us as we can explore our untapped forests in Brunei. Natives of the rainforests have used the “nutrients” of plants to make colours that stay. You can’t replicate the colours from natural dyes. They’re so vivid... I’ve had people from Japan and Korea who love the effect I’ve tried so far.”

But after so long in the business, and with all the interest in his art from Bruneian youth, I ask if his work has truly inspired more Bruneians to pick it up.

“We’ve done many activities to support the efforts of the ministries... while a form of recreation for the youth, it can also show them batik as more than a hobby,” he says.

While I certainly found all the 30-odd students there to be very interested in the event, none of them seemed to express any desire to take up batik seriously.

Rozana Abdul Rahman is the sole “success” of Hj Zainal’s efforts. Rozana, 38, is his assistant, and spends most of the time by the side of his mentor, teaching others and helping Hj Zainal with all of the intricate processes of batik design.

“I’ve been working with Hj Zainal since 2006. My interest in art started from school... you can see my name in the papers, I was champion in many competitions when I was a kid! My hope is that, one day I can start up my own workshop and my own batik. I’ve actually submitted a proposal to an authority,” he reveals.

His seven years working beside Hj Zainal have built up his skill considerably, and he designs small patterns at his own home, using them for his family and even selling a few designs to friends. His involvement has also spilled over into the next generation.

“My first three children are all interested. My eldest (19-year old daughter) although working helps me a lot with my own batik at home.”

If Bruneian batik cannot be truly called a traditional art form, it can in its own right, be considered as a new tradition. And while 12 years of Bruneian batik hasn’t exactly resulted in an explosion of enthusiasts, perhaps the few consummate individuals are enough to carry this tradition into Brunei’s future.

Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/features/2013/11/07/new-tradition-brunei-batik

Batik Maker, Export is Capital Intensive

A salesperson arranging the batik on display at Batik Desamas' booth at the Made in Brunei Expo at the Airport Mall recently. Picture: BT/Al-Haadi Abu Bakar

A LOCAL batik textile company is seeking extra funds to expand into the export market after establishing itself here for many years.

Batik Desamas, the firm that has fused tradition with modern technology in its production of batik, is hoping to expand into the export market with additional funding from government sources.

The proprietor of Batik Desamas, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, said that he would not be able to meet global demand without additional financial assistance, even though the business has been export-ready for some time.

"The demand is there. The people out there now recognise Brunei's batik as one of the best in the industry, in terms of design," he said in an interview with The Brunei Times.

Batik Desamas is one of the several companies that is taking part in the "Made in Brunei" Expo at the Airport Mall.

Recently, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim has been experimenting with new fabric, particularly a new type of cotton that has textural qualities akin to silk, and since then has drawn interest from his customers.

In addition, the textile has grabbed a lot of attention from tourists, particularly at its kiosk at Muara Port where international cruises dock.

But, with increased interest comes the challenge of supplying beyond his current capacity, which produces about 300 to 1,000 metres of Batik daily.

A pioneer in Brunei's batik scene, Brunei's Batik Designer, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim had started hand-printing batik since 2000.

The Batik Designer said his business has been doing well in the local scene following its introduction of his Digital Batik system.

His Batik is well sought-after among participants in events and national occasions, such as the National Day celebration.

The system, developed by Zainal through financial assistance from the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) two years ago, applies advanced software and engineering to digitalise his hand-drawn work, which can then be replicated to produce a whole range of Batik products. 

The new system is aimed to allow mass production of his Batik designs, as traditional method of producing Batik is not enough to meet the global demand.

Production has been outsourced to Indonesia and recently, to South Korea, which according to Zainal, has drawn criticisms from some locals.

"Often, the mindset of Bruneians is that when we say that we outsource our production overseas, they made the assumption that we import our products," he said.

Zainal said he has been actively clarifying the misconception, adding that his approach is more cost-efficient, rather than having the whole business operations entirely in Brunei. In his current capacity, the cost of bringing the production facility to the Sultanate would be very expensive.

"A lot of successful companies out there, such as in America and South Korea, actually outsource their production to countries like China and the Philippines, and then export to the rest of the world," he explained.

He said his business model has a better value proposition than his competitors', which mainly focuses on selling imported Batik, as he has full control of design and production.

Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/2013/04/15/export-capital-intensive-batik-maker

Batik Art On The Decline Due to Poor Guidelines

Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, local Brunei batik artists and textile designer during an interview with The Brunei Times. Picture: BT/Quratul-Ain Bandial

LOCAL art veteran Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim has bemoaned the state of the current batik art scene, saying it has stagnated due to lack of proper guidance and instruction for art students.

A pioneer in Brunei's batik scene, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim , 62, has been very vocal about the dearth of talent to carry on the centuries-old tradition of batik painting, made famous by artists like Singaporean Sarkasi Said Tzee and Malaysian Ramsay Ong.

In an interview at his Beribi showroom, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim  spoke about the current batik art exhibition at the Waterfront Gallery, which he called "disappointing".

While the exhibition starts off with works from some of the genre's greats - like Sarkasi said Tzee and Ramsay Ong - and even some of Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim's own paintings, he said the amateur works produced from a series of batik workshops for young artists lacked depth.

"What I saw is very disappointing - not much improvement... I look at student's work and nothing. I don't see any talent or something to be proud of."

"I can't blame the students, it is those who teach it who don't have pure knowledge, or are knowledgeable about the process of batik."

Producing batik is an arduous process which can take weeks, by melting wax on to the canvas before hand-dyeing it a series of colours to create the desired image or effect.

"I think it is their approach whether they are ignorant about the process of batik or don't really care about what is art," said Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim.

"Batik is a process of art and here I see no direction at all."

With more than 40 years of experience including a brief stint as a fine arts instructor at local university Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim  has vast experience in batik, from traditional methods to using digital tools to create motifs.

He said most art instructors in schools and workshops are not experienced enough to steer young talent.

"They just see, they just listen, take a one or two day workshop then start teaching people. This may be a good way to promote (batik artwork) but the proper way to do art is you must have a system and be disciplined."

"Of course art can be experimental you can be immersed in different elements. But you must be immersed in art, the proper technique of doing it. That is part of their failing that they cannot achieve quality."

The fact that the Waterfront Gallery exhibition does not display any recent batik paintings since 2004, speaks to the scarcity of quality local artwork, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim  lamented.

"I went the other day and thought this is ridiculous work. If I was a teacher I would fail them."

He said there a few local veteran artists who, although may not use batik as their main medium, are well-versed in the genre and could offer much-needed guidance to students.

"We need to involve veteran artists so they can guide the young ones. These people (students) are creative but they need proper technique. So at the end they produce something subpar or has no meaning and it's a pity."

However, batik painting is a dying art not only in Brunei, but in the region as well. In the past five eyars, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim  himself has largely moved away from batik painting and into commercial textile production as a batik apparel designer.

He has a traditional batik workshop in Solo, Indonesia where he produces his hand-made textiles, and send his digital motifs, created on Adobe Illustrator and other software, to be made in South Korea.

The veteran has participated in a number of international textile exhibitions, including the World Expos in China and South Korea, where he was able to attract the interest of international buyers.

"Most batik artists feel like there is no market for the paintings, so they move into textile batik design. It is a sad truth."

The Brunei Times.
http://www.bt.com.bn/2012/12/23/batik-art-decline-due-poor-guidelines

Brunei Batik Maker Jumps Into Digital Age

FOR the past five years, local batik maker Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim is so far the only one in Brunei to venture into digital batik making where unlike traditional batik making, digital batik does not require hand-drawing or the molten wax process.

Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim admits that there has been some debate on the authenticity of digital batik as it is not hand-drawn the traditional way. 

"There is a movement away from traditional batik to digital batik, but some people debate about the orgininality of a digitally-made batik as the patterns are made through the computer, which is considered a machine," said Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim.

Overriding such arguments, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim believes the step towards digital batik is just a revolutionary development of batik since its existence hundreds of years ago in Asia. Digital batik making has allowed Zainal's local batik business, Batik Desa Mas, to expand by being innovative using digital designs. Batik Desa Mas was formed in 2000, 12 years ago.

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/features/2012/05/13/batik-maker-jumps-digital-age

Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim A Pioneering Digital Batik Artisan

Local batik maker Zainal Abidin checking his batik designs

LOCAL batik maker Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim has made a name for himself when he became one of the few who pioneered into digital batik making. Unlike traditional batik making, digital batik does not require hand-drawing or the molten wax process.

"What was holding back my batik business in the past was the need for batik pattern artists and the ingredients needed to produce the patterns such as candle wax and material. With digital batik I do not need any of these," said Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim.

Zainal assures that digital batik making is the same as the traditional batik-making process where the only difference is the design of patterns via digital technology.

"Once the patterns get printed off, we still need to use the fixing of colours onto the material through a steaming process to ensure the patterns and colour will stay. It is a more commercial and technological process than the traditional one," said Zainal.

At 61 years old Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim is able to master software such as Photoshop Illustrator to come up with his digital batik designs. Zainal comes up with his own designs while he prints and produces them outside of Brunei.

"I can say digital batik has allowed me to bypass the traditional needs of batik making process. It ensured the survival of my batik business," said Zainal.

During the 12-year period in batik business Zainal has learnt that batik designs evolves according to the country where batik thrives. Zainal believes and encourages Bruneians to come up with its own unique batik designs that can be developed through instilling local motives and identities. His batik business has been aspiring to do so.

"Batik is not part of the local tradition but we can come up with our own batik designs with our own identity and values. This is what I am trying to do, offering made-in-Brunei batik," said Zainal.

Zainal realises that it is obvious Brunei would not be able to develop batik at a level which transpires into its culture and tradition such as in Indonesia where batik patterns have been noted to exist since the 12th century or even earlier depending on different sources.

"Indonesia has made batik as part of its tradition. Different patterns are given different names. They have a stock file of their own original designs. Batik is part of the Indonesian tradition which would be very hard to fade," said Zainal.

In 2009, UNESCO designated Indonesian batik as a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity".

Zainal underlined the birth of Malaysian batik in the seventies when it was introduced as a form of art in educational institutions like the then Institute Technology Malaysia (ITM) or presently known as MARA University of Technology(UiTM).

It has been contested whether the origins of batik in Malaysia were brought and taught by Indonesia. However when it was introduced to such institutions it was emphasised the batik designs was to be developed based on more Malaysian designs to ensure more original patterns.

"Young Malaysians then were vigorous towards the aim of creating their very own batik where they instilled designs from the villages around Malaysia," said Zainal.

In terms of batik, Malaysians were more innovative in trying to create their own designs.

Zainal is confident that Brunei has the traditional designs that can be incorporated into local batik designs especially with more alternatives. The batik-making process now is more accessible to wider groups of people with the presence of digital batik making. Zainal now produces his batik design through four different processes; the melting wax process, the batik stamping process, the batik screen printing process and the batik digital making process.

The Batik Desa Mas boutique can be found at the Sumbangsih Mulia Building along Jalan Beribi.

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/features/2012/05/13/pioneering-digital-batik-artisan

The Traditional Baju Melayu, kain Sinjang

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - Brunei-made Sinjang, a short-sarong worn over the men's traditional "Baju Melayu", is usually made from a woven material that still preserves its traditional make with the Brunei motifs as its design. However, a local entrepreneur has introduced a new innovative idea for the sinjang, by producing a Brunei batik sinjang made from cotton material. He is Awang Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, owner of Batik Desamas, that is known for producing Brunei batik materials for men's and women's wear.

Awang Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim first came up with the idea to produce Brunei batik sinjang using cotton material, after receiving feedbacks and encouragement from his customers especially the men who want to keep the sinjang with the Brunei traditional cultural attire, that suits the person who wear it, and that is practical and easy to maintain compared to other kinds of fabric such as silk and woven material. He still preserves the Brunei design in producing his batik by using the same motifs found on the Brunei woven cloths apart from experimenting on the use of local plants for his designs.

According to Awang Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, he received encouraging response from the local customers whenever he showed the samples of the cotton material with the new designs he created for the sinjang. Many of his customers urged him to increase his production with further improved material and design quality. He adopted the new idea for the sinjang as it is something that reflects the beauty of the Brunei traditional culture.

Awang Zainal Abidin said he felt proud when the batik with the Brunei traditional designs he produced were welcomed not only by the local community but also at the international market. He began promoting the Brunei batik sinjang through Expos and Art Exhibitions in and outside the country and had also marketed them two months ago. He is currently producing the designs for the Brunei Batik Sinjang using the digital technology that does not need too much manpower.

Aside from that, he combines his skill as a batik designer with the computerised technique that has assisted him greatly in producing his new product in the required quantity. Batik sinjang costs 60 dollars and above a piece and are available at the Batik Desamas at the Sumbangsih Mulia Building. Currently, Awang Zainal Abidin says he puts out about 15 to 20 designs on 100 metres of cloth, from which he can produce about 30 to 40 pieces of material for the sinjang.

source :

http://m.melayuonline.com/eng/news/read/12132/brunei-made-sinjang-a-traditional-baju-melayu

Shanghai Expo, Brunei Arts and Tradition on Display

THE Brunei Pavilion at the Expo 2010 Shanghai was busy yesterday making preparations to showcase the Sultanate's arts and tradition to visitors today.

Encountering a quiet day at the Brunei Pavilion with just over 6,500 visitors yesterday, probably due to the rainy weather, the staff of the Pavilion welcomed two craftsmen from Brunei, specially flown in by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) to let the world in on the arts and tradition of Brunei.

Hj Sabli Hj Omar and Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, a wood carver and a batik producer respectively, are the men Brunei will rely on to show the world what the Sultanate has to offer in linking tradition to trade. 

Both are business owners who shine brightly in their own industries, but both are also better known as designers or artists in Brunei, where their works are seen as valuable artistic creations, and of course, much sought after.

For batik producer and designer, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim who has a glorious record of holding several fashion shows, he certainly hopes to design his way out of Brunei into the world.

He will use both the traditional way of hand-drawing and also computer generated graphics to show interested viewers how the traditional batik of Brunei is produced. Various finished batik products will also be on display at his counter.

As for Hj Sabli, his art works are already on display at the Brunei Pavilion, and he will demonstrate his skills to the expo crowd on how he produces the exquisite carvings.

Both men will begin displaying their skills today, on Day 6 of Shanghai Expo, and hopefully make a name for Brunei and themselves on the international stage. 

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/05/06/brunei-arts-and-tradition-display-shanghai-expo