About

Batik Art

Canting (hand-drawn tool) is used for applying hot wax to create a hand-drawn batik

 

Copper block stamps are used for applying hot wax to create repeat patterns. Copper is used for this stamp to create a fine design.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) 

inscribed Indonesian batik on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Batik art can be found around the world. Some of the earliest examples date back over 2000 years. It is especially popular on Java Island, Indonesia, where it has developed into a sophisticated art form.

Traditional artisans use a complex multi-stage process to create batik. They alternate the drawing of intricate hot wax designs with the hand-dipping of the fabric into colorful dyes. Dying takes several dips to achieve a certain color depth. To remove the wax throughout the process, fabric is dipped in boiling water. Due to high heat, traditional batik can only use fabric that contains pure natural fiber. Some of the finest examples require months to produce.

Click here to see Batik Patterns & Motifs.


Batik Process - Artisans at Work - Color Island (video 2:56) 

This video was shown at Denver Art Museum for an exhibition called Irresistible: Multicolored Textiles from Asia that is part of the campus-wide exhibition "Spun: Adventures in Textiles."  May 19 – September 22, 2013.


Meet Lidia



Lidia  Wangadi - Founder / Designer

As a young girl growing up in Indonesia, I fell in love with Indonesian traditional art. Being exposed to Batik making during teenage years, appreciation developed for this unique, Indonesian art form with its beautiful motifs and vibrant colors.

I am professionally trained and practicing as an architect, but thrilled about designing my own line of authentic, beautiful, unique accessories, high quality handmade batik, and serving the US market for over 15 years.

Working with the finest artists in historic, batik producing towns in Indonesia, not only supporting these small, family operated producers that have been making batik for generations, and help sustain this beautiful art, but also making it available for the international fashion world.

I love making women look beautiful, feel wonderful, and bringing meaning to what you wear.



Color Island was born for the love of the rich and colorful culture, arts and people of Indonesia. It is an archipelago country that consist of over 17,500 islands in beautiful waters along the equator between Asia and Australia. There are 742 living languages are spoken in Indonesia within over 300 ethnic groups, that make Indonesia very rich in diverse culture, customs, arts, and culinary.

Color Island is bringing the best of Indonesian wearable art, from the rich and colorful culture to your world.



Click here to discover Wonderful Indonesia

This is the official website of the Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia. This website is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintain, authorize, or sponsored by Color Island. This link is provided as reference purposes only and does not imply any association with Color Island.