Batik artist carves out niche with designs on wood

By K. Basrie

SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): A chance happening three years ago brought the beauty of batik design to a new domain of wood for one local artist.

"It was just a coincidence," said Achmad Dahlan, 31, a former in-house batik maker who now runs his own business producing batik on wood.

Achmad recalled the fluke incident in a recent interview with The Jakarta Post at his workshop here.

"Like many local people here, I sometimes made batik cloth at my home during my spare time after teaching," Achmad said in describing his art course for people suffering from depression. "One day, I placed the cloth on a piece of wood."

Over the next few days, he noticed how beautiful and colorful the motifs appeared when rendered on the wood. "It really amazed me, and I was inspired to make more batik designs on wood."

Through several weeks of trial and error, he learned his discovery could beautify traditional masks of Java and the wide range of ethnic sculptures from across the archipelago.

Today, work from his Psycho Art firm fills the racks of many handicraft shops and has been exported to several countries, including Taiwan.

Achmad downplays his find. "I don't think batik on wood is my invention because I've been told by friends that similar works are found in some areas outside Surakarta."

Is there a difference in the process of putting batik on wood? "There is no difference, except the medium," Achmad says. "The process is exactly the same as applying batik to cloth."

Unlike textiles, in which the batik design can be applied by either hand or machine, the motifs must be rendered by hand on wood.

Process

The first step in the process requires selecting the type of wood. For small masks and sculptures, Achmad chooses economically priced woods such as pule and sengon, which he purchases from villagers in the Pacitan coastal area and Boyolali mountain community.

"The cheaper the price of the wood, the cheaper the items will be," Achmad said.

After being dried for several days, pule and sengon become lighter than other types of wood. The logs are then chopped into pieces in accordance with the size of the items. After being carved into a specified model, the piece is sandpapered and the motif is drawn in pencil.

The next stages involve waxing, painting, soaking, boiling and sun drying. This process varies according to the size and design of the work.

Except for special knives for carving, the other tools used in the process are almost identical to those for batik cloth design. They include stoves, pans and the canting, a small, spouted copper vessel which resembles the bowl of a pipe.

Before the packing process, the products have to be rubbed with the back of spoons and soft cotton to close the wood's pores.

Different people perform each step of the process. Women traditionally do the waxing and painting.

Each artist brings his individual style to the wood, which makes every piece unique.

"Everyone has his or her own style of working," said Achmad. "But people who are depressed will never make a product of such work, because it needs patience and craftsmanship."

Achmad, who runs the business with his wife, employs about 10 workers. He hires additional workers from home industries for big orders.

"We could recruit over 60 skilled people," he said.

Products

The firm produces a variety of batik woods, ranging from masks and sculptures, to furniture sets and their accessories. The two latter products are usually made of more expensive kinds of wood, such as teak and mahogany.

Each wooden model bears its own name and meaning. For example, the Topeng Panji mask has a beautiful, smiling face and inviting gaze, and evinces the noble qualities of knights (ksatria).

In general, the batik designs feature motifs drawn from nature, such as rice fields, birds, flowers, leaves and trees.

"These are symbols of a peaceful life in a well-protected environment," said Achmad.

After promoting the products in a series of large-scale handicraft exhibitions in Jakarta, Achmad's business now earns him around Rp 20 million (US$8,350) per month.

He is setting his sights on grander projects. "My wish this year is to apply batik designs on a house in Jakarta," he said.