Asean Aesthetic

ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES

FET 638 ASIAN AESTHETIC ART

BATIK DESIGN IN
MALAYSIAN CULTURE

PREPARED BY:
NAME: MUHAMMAD
HAZIQ BIN MOHD HASHIM
STUDENT ID:
2018424114
SEMESTER: 05
FACULTY: FACULTY
OF ART AND DESIGN
PROGRAMME: AD228 BACHELOR
OF FINE ART
PREPARED FOR:
PROFESOR MADYA DR. RAFAEH LEGINO



• ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES page 01

Abstract

Summary about
this study

The purpose of conducting this study is to differentiate type of batik and information about
Batik in Malaysia. Batik is one of the various techniques of textile decorations. After
throughout study, research and observation, Batik can foundin two kind. “Batik blok” and
“Batik canting”. The product or motif produced by this technique is called 'batik'. It is able to
create beautiful motifs of high quality on both sides of the cloth. Batik has been introduced
way back before and it is one of Malaysian huge identity and asset. Nowadays the techniques
of batik is considered a heritage of the past and now it is also used as a medium of fine arts
especially in printmaking. To sum it up, “Batik blok” is more of a commercial type of batik
whereas “Batik canting” is leaning towards arts because of its free form and drawn by hand
which makes it more difficult. Based on the findings, it is clear that both batik had many
difference in terms of technique and design. What attracts the foreigner is the “Batik canting”
because it is more unique in term of design although the price maybe higher than the block
one. However, Batik blok is much more accessable and affordable to get which makes it easy
to sell even to the local. This is why artist and industries should strive to make more these
type of arts as it is representing one of the main Malaysian culture.

• ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES page 02

introduction

There are 2 type of Batik that can be found in Malaysia, Blok and Canting. It is important not just the local
but the foreigner as well to appreciate our culture. The word Batik comes from two words, “amba” and
“nitik” which means write and making dots. Batik can be traced way back from 1920s. According to Omar
Ali, one of the Batik artist, it is told in a folklore that Sultan Mahmud ordered Laksamana hang Nadi to find
140 Batik with different design and pattern. After throughout search, the Laksamana decided to make his
own Batik. Then the ship that the Laksamana was on crashed and only 4 batik can be saved. Not only that,
the origin of batik has been debated and reach no conclusion. Some studies suggest it’s from Egpyt. A study
also show that Holland contribute in the making of batik. So the origin of batik is very hard to be traced.
However Batik has been big in Malaysia has been since then.

Even from back before, it has already been commercially made. Not only it has been providing jobs and
business opportunities but has contributed in the economic side as well. Moreover, batik has been one of the
major reason people all around the world came to see. This has become the pillar for Malaysian tourism. It
all started with east coast of Kelantan and Terengganu where Batik was developed. Initially, batik used to be
made using blok technique where Malaysia imitate various nature object and interpret it to a new design. Not
only that, it is also inspired by Islamic motif of geometrical.

As time progresses, artist has started to developed senses to make a new technique for creating batik. They
started to not use block but draw manually. The result is much more pleasing and more unique than the block
technique. However that drawback is that it is hard to be made in huge numbers so it is rare and unique to
have one. The motif used in the Batik canting is identical however the composition is different from the
block technique. The block technique has a fixed composition and cannot be amend or changed. For Batik
canting it has a free composition as it is hand drawn and not using a block of steel. Both type batik require
immense amount of patience to do so in order to make the motif properly represent Malaysian culture. Hence
owning a batik is quite a luxury to have as a foreigner.



page 04 • ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES

Findings

As mention before, batik can be found in two typewhich Batik blok and Batik canting. Both are
different in numerous way such as the technique and composition used in the process of making it.
Batik can be seen mostly in Terengganu and Kelantan as the main source and in some cases in
Johor as well.

First, batik blok was introduced way before batik canting. Batik blok is considered much more
easier making than canting. This type of batik use blok and print the images onto it. Batik blok also
had other name such as batik terap, batik pukul and batik cap.

Picture 1: Batik Blok

page 05 • ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES

As shown like the picture 2 and 3, batik
blok is created using wooden or steel
blok that has been carved out the
images and motif. The carving
technique used is “ukiran timbul”. After
that the block is dipped in black ink
before transferring to the cloth

surface. The typical color used in batik Picture 4: Wooden Batik Blok

blok is black as the base, then red, blue
and yellow. Other color may be used
depending on the creativity of the
maker.

Picture 2 & 3: Technique used to make
Batik

page 06 • ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES

Eventually, the wooden block is Picture 5: Steel Batik blok
replaced with the steel or copper.
This is because the etching on the
steel is far more precise and finer
than wood. This help achieve even
finer motif implemented on the cloth.
Usually for 1 type of Batik, there will
be 3 block separately, the head, body
and leg. These three will be printed
accordingly in order. Every block has
different images and motif.

page 07 • ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES

Next is Batik Canting. Batik canting was introduced after batik blok. This particular batik is rather
popular because of the motif and composition used on the cloth. There’s no actually form and it is
free will. It is because the technique used in making it is hand drawn using candle and ink,
different from using block. Even though, this batik is much more unique than batik blok, it is much
more harder to make thus making it very expensive. Batik canting nowdays also gain popularity not
just in fine art and printmaking but fashion as well. Malaysian designer used motif in Batik onto
the cloth they designed. Making it very aesthetic and beautiful.

Picture 6: Batik Canting Picture 7: Technique used to
make Batik Canting

Even though both batik is produced in a different way, the element and motif used is still
connected. Using organic and geometrical shape and stylized nature object fused with Islamic
element. Here are some of the example recognizable motif used in both batik.

Picture 8: Motif Ayam Picture 9: Motif Bunga Buluh

Picture 10: Motif Bunga
Raya
Picture 11: Motif Pucuk Rebung

Picture 12: Corak
Tompok

Picture 13: Corak Berdiri

These are just some of the example of the numerous number of motif used in Batik. Most of
the design are simplified and the artist use bright color with dark background to make it more
pop out. After all the design and ink is put on the cloth, the same process is repeated to
ensure the color stay and can be seen clearly without losing contrast. After that, the cloth will
be hang to dry and process is finished. The amount of time required may vary from size and
the design chosen.

Picture 14: Batik Blok Picture 15: Batik Blok (Traced)

Picture 16: Batik Canting Picture 17: Batik Canting (Traced)

page 10 • ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES

Analysis Recommendation

Based on the picture 14 to 17, it can be IThere isn’t much to add since the industries batik
clearly seen that both Batik had itself is a huge success. The only issues is people
different style and composition even aren’t wary enough about the batik itself. They
though having similar pattern,design and only have the surface level of the batik. How it
motif. Batik blok is more static and fixed should wear is also an aspect that people should
and can divided into parts. These parts know as it is one of the aesthetic part of the
has function of its own, not just simply a batik. Not just the design. That way people will
design. Whereas batik canting has more surely appreciate more about batik. The other
variety form that is pleasing to one’s issues other countries making Batik. Because of
eye. People prefer canting because it is its confusing origin more countries are involved in
more like an art which is why it gain making Batik for
popularity among foreigner. Although their country themselves. This proves that we as
that is the case Batik blok isn’t that far Malaysian have competition
behind. Because of its affordable price, among country to show them that the Batik origin
more local and even some foreigner buy is from Malaysia itself.
it. Canting also has more color in it
rather than blok, because blok has
limitation and the process is tiresome in
order to achieve the same color palette
as Canting.

conclusion

Batik can be summarized to two type, Batik Blok and Canting. Both have feature that
are different from one another. Despite being different in composition and process
making. The element and design are still the same and represent Malay culture. By
using nature object and stylized it into our own makes it more unique and can’t be
simply copied without proper knowledge. Which is why this legacy must be preserve
and continued throughout generation so that it won’t be lost.

• ART AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES page 09

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