KLIB Convention 2009 Speakers

Searching for New Challenges – Batik as a Multi Disciplined Art

by Tony Dyer
Artist/Craftsperson
Australia

Life is not a static process and neither should the batik art we create. As time passes, with what appears to be almost increasing pace, the world is in a continued state of flux and change.

Our response to our personal experiences and that flux and change, should also be reflected in who we are, what we think, how we perceive the “new” world, our thoughts about the past in relation to the change and how those thoughts and ideas could be reflected in our art.

The traditional techniques that have formed the basis of my batik for 40 years, have gradually changed to include:

• Embellished surfaces of stitch (hand and machine) onto waxed and dyed fabrics,
• Etched linear techniques,
• Simulated textured surfaces, including rubbings using specially created two and three dimensional forms and
• Combining other textile techniques such as handmade felt and materials such as wood, cane and found objects.

The personal presentation will be supported by detailed visual imagery of my batiks that reflect the various techniques and materials listed above as well as a selection of actual batiks.

It is also important to raise the issues of how experimental and innovative manipulated and constructed batik fabrics could be better integrated by fashion designers to create new and exciting directions for batik fashion garments.