My Friend Suspriyati Leading the Next Generation of Batik Artists
I want to showcase my dear friend of 34 years, Suspriyati, and her work to keep the art of batik alive in Indonesia.
Suspriyati is a talented batik artist and she spends her time passing on her extensive knowledge to the next generation
of Indonesian batik artists. Beyond creating batik, Suspriyati is also an avid batik collector. She works with many local
artists to curate a diverse collection of batik fabrics, some of which she shares with us.
Suspriyati with her son, whom I’ve watched grow up over the years.
Here are some pictures of Suspriyati demonstrating her batik techniques on sarongs.
The people of Indonesia have long worn batik sarongs and it is a very important part of their culture.
Within the last decade, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) has designated batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Suspriyati works hard to ensure that the tradition of batik continues on in future generations.
In addition to using batik on fabrics, like the sarongs shown above,
it can also be used on wood. The pictures below show a class that Suspriyati leads.
In this one, the students learn to use batik on wood — the result is beautiful!
The batik conventions in Indonesia are much like our craft shows or sewing
and quilting expos. Local artists come together and display their work in a
large marketplace. While attending a batik convention in Indonesia, Suspriyati
took some pictures of the people in attendance wearing traditional batik garments.
Batik is not only important in her culture, but also within her own family.
Suspriyati’s brother is one of our artists — he makes beautiful batik
paintings for us. Shown below are some pictures of him working on a piece for us.
Suspriyati inspires even the youngest generation to learn batik!
The following pictures are from another batik class she taught — this one with a younger audience.
Keep on inspiring the next generation, Suspriyati!