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Each piece of batik produced holds different meanings. Albeit the difficulty in interpreting their meanings, people
enjoy them and now batik has gained worldwide recognition.
For Tan Mei Shia, 24, who is more known as Emilia, she is glad because her dream of becoming a batik painter
has come true.
Having indulged in art since the age of six, and to seek ideas before painting, she frequently snaps photographs of
her surroundings and travels to places.
"If one keeps strolling, one can come up with all kinds of ideas. So, by visiting new places, I would be able to
gain new ideas and I am proud to be able to paint batik well because not many Chinese embark on this field of
art," she said.
Now, it has nearly been 10 years since she first got started in art. Starting with landscape paintings using oil and
watercolour on canvas, she then shifted her interest to producing paintings based on batik.
According to the Klang-born artist, after high-school, in 1999, she decided to travel to several Asian countries
apart from Australia to seek exposure. That aside, she also travelled to gain new ideas and learn painting
techniques of people in the countries she visited.
"When one is in another country, one is able to observe their way of life and culture. So, I accumulate my travel
experiences and apply them into my art.
"Apart from that, I also learn painting techniques of each country I visited because I believe there are new ways
which we can discover," said Emilia to Kosmo!Ahad recently.
While in Australia a few years ago, she managed to learn Australian aboriginal art that uses uses dots as a
technique.
"I did not attend any formal classes while in Australia and it was mere coincidence that I was introduced to
Australian aboriginal art while there. I also had the opportunity to observe how amateur and professional artists in
Australia produce their artworks," she said.
Her interest in batik started when she was studying in Malaysian Institute Of Art and majoring in Fashion &
Textile design.
"Batik is unique to be absorbed in art. Many regard it not as art, but merely handicraft, but I treat it as a branch of
art," she said.
When asked why she chose batik, Emilia added, she aspires to let the world know about batik.
"If Westerners are proud of Monalisa by Leornado Da Vinci, I want to be proud of batik and hold batik
exhibitions at an international level.
"So far, I have already held exhibitions at Suria KLCC and Grand Seasons Hotel and also several locations around
Klang Valley. I am planning to hold my first exhibition abroad at Agora Gallery in New York, America," she
explained.