Sun daily (English Newspaper)

http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=8794

IF YOU THINK batik is conservative or dull, think again. Your perception will change as soon as you step into Emilia Tan Mei Shia's home studio in Wangsa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.

Her batik pieces will amaze you. It all started when a six-year-old Tan developed a passion for art. She enhanced her skills over the years and enrolled herself in the Malaysian Institute of Art in 1999, where she was introduced to batik.

"I only started cultivating an appreciation for contemporary art when I took my textile and fashion design course," she said. The 24-year-old feels lucky that she learnt this unique art craft.

"Batik is very interesting and not everyone has the chance to learn (how to make) it, unlike the common water colour or oil painting." During her semester breaks, Tan usually travels around Asia.

When she visited Australia, she stumbled upon aboriginal art and was determined to learn more about this art form. She also approached a few Australian galleries to display her batik work. To her dismay, they pointed out that batik is not art but rather a craft.

Soon after returning to Malaysia, Tan came up with the idea of incorporating aboriginal motifs into batik designs to create a new, contemporary form of batik that is accepted as art.

"Batik and aboriginal art share similar characteristics such as having strong contrast of colours, which makes it even more attractive," Tan said.

"Aboriginal art is very direct. It uses lines and dots as a form of communicating." Tan alternates between realism and abstraction techniques in her painting. "I paint from my heart and using abstract motifs, and it's a marvellous way of expressing emotions," she said. "I try to paint the subject as I perceive it rather than try to achieve a realistic interpretation."

And where does she get her inspiration? "Travelling helps a lot, especially when one learns about the countries' culture and humanism."

However, the creative process is not always smooth sailing, and the execution of ideas can be interrupted or even grind to a halt. This does not discourage her as she takes this opportunity to form new ideas.

"I don't want to mass-produce as I don't get the satisfaction of making my own masterpiece. Basically, life is short and I want to create something unique for people to remember me by," Tan said.

Tan also design textiles for two fashion design schools. She sells the copyrights for her works and the prices vary according to the design and technique used. She usually produces some 30 metres of what is required by the designer.

"Many students can visualise the end-result but they are unable to paint it themselves," she said.

Apart from selling her art pieces, Tan also teaches art. She conducts personalised classes for children and adults alike at her studio. She said: "Many people have heard of me through word-of-mouth or from kakiseni.com."

Most of her artworks can be produced on paper, canvas, cotton and also postcards.
Most of her pieces are quite expensive, ranging from RM500 to RM5,000. This has led her to design postcards for those who love her artworks but cannot afford to purchase them. The postcards sell at RM10 for a five-piece pack.

Tan is slowly gaining international recognition and she is in the midst of planning a solo exhibition in New York.

Asked about her future plans, she said: "I plan to set up my own gallery to display all of my masterpieces." Those interested in viewing her work can visit her showroom at 10, Jalan Wangsa Budi 6A, Wangsa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.

Customers can also purchase Tan's works online by visiting her website at www.tmsart.com or call +60-3-4142 8154 or +60-12-2579775 .

Bringing our batik onto the world stage

Malaysia has launched a three-year campaign to revolutionise the use of traditional batik, headed by Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The campaign involves a series of fashion shows, street carnivals and contests building up to a World Batik Convention and Exhibition later this year.

Endon wants to create new markets to improve the economic welfare of hundreds of small rural producers and make batik an inherent part of the country's national identity.

In the early days, our batik were copies of those from Indonesia, made with block printing and repetitive designs. Endon aims to encourage local designers to move away from conventionalism and re-invent batik through modern designs.

Local artists are slowly developing their own style, handpainting batik or using new techniques to create abstract effects on different types of fabrics -- from silk to cotton and polyester -- using bold, contrasting hues.

"Our ultimate aim is to bring Malaysian batik onto the world stage where it would get the prominence, acclaim and sales that it deserves," Endon said.

Malaysian Official Designers' Association chairman Bill Keith said local fashion players are still experimenting with the use of batik and must work towards dispelling the stereotype that it is conservative.

Keith, an international designer, has incorporated batik in his creations in the past 15 years and found them hugely popular in Japan. "Batik is about wearing art, wearing a masterpiece. It's our bright colours that set us apart from the others. We are so loud and that's a bonus on the runway."

Endon said she hoped to nurture local talent and would expand various competitions involving batik, some of which will be open to international designers.