OUR COLLECTION — ASIA — SRI LANKA 428. HOLY FAMILY BATIK
This batik cloth depicts the Holy Family. The scene was a gift from our friend in the Netherlands. When he had the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka in 2008, he had the cloth made especially for him, so it is a one-of-a-kind piece. The scene is based on a picture from a 1920s Dutch book of prayers. The cloth measures 20.5 inches tall by 18 inches wide.
Batik style originated in Indonesia and means drawing by using wax. The artist begins with a white cloth upon which s/he prints a design. Wax is then applied to the areas that will remain white. The cloth is then bathed in the dyes beginning with the lightest to the darkest all the while applying a layer of wax to separate the colors. By the end of the process the cloth will be completely covered in wax. To remove the wax, the artist crumples the cloth and then uses an iron to remove the final remnants.
Batik style originated in Indonesia and means drawing by using wax. The artist begins with a white cloth upon which s/he prints a design. Wax is then applied to the areas that will remain white. The cloth is then bathed in the dyes beginning with the lightest to the darkest all the while applying a layer of wax to separate the colors. By the end of the process the cloth will be completely covered in wax. To remove the wax, the artist crumples the cloth and then uses an iron to remove the final remnants.