Indonesian Embassy in London and Mixed-Heritage Designer Showcase Batik in London
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Indonesian Embassy in London participated for the first time in the London Craft Week 2026 through a collaboration with British-Indonesian textile designer, Lisa King, in an exhibition titled ‘Batik: Recolouring Tradition’.
The exhibition, which took place from 12-17 May 2026 at Gallery 8, St James’s, London, featured a collection of batik owned by the late Farida King alongside Lisa King’s latest works.
Through the exhibition, Lisa presented batik in a modern context by combining elements of Indonesian cultural heritage and a cross-cultural perspective as a British artist of Indonesian descent.
“This exhibition marks the beginning of a long journey for me,” said Lisa King.
In her creative process, Lisa collaborated with a community of batik artisans in Yogyakarta, including the second generation of Batik Winotosastro, as well as colour specialists in the UK. This collaboration presented batik as a medium to reflect identity, memory, and the meeting of two cultures.
The Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, Desra Percaya, said that innovation is an important part of introducing batik to the international stage.
“Batik is indeed a tradition. However, tradition never stops evolving. Batik remains relevant, expressive, and close to modern life,” said Desra.
The opening of the exhibition began with a private viewing event attended by the diplomatic corps in London, the Diplomatic Spouses Club London, The Women’s Council, as well as partners and friends of the Indonesian Embassy in London. The event was also attended by Victoria Kosasieputri, who brought a message of sustainability and environmental friendliness in batik production.
On the second day of the event, Lisa King and the Indonesian Embassy in London held another Private View Evening, inviting the local media, art community, and community leaders. The Deputy Head of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in London, Sahadatun Donatirin, affirmed that batik continues to evolve with the times.
“Tradition is not something outdated. Tradition continues to evolve and can be used by anyone,” she said.