Batik artist carves out niche with designs on wood

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.