Iwan Tirta delights batik enthusiasts in Jimbaran
Iwan Tirta delights batik enthusiasts in Jimbaran
By Rita A. Widiadana
JIMBARAN, Bali (JP): For the multitalented artist and designer
Iwan Tirtaatmaja, popularly known by art lovers as Iwan Tirta,
batik is more than just a piece of cloth. Batik embodies the
culture and philosophy of Indonesian people.
After more than 40 years of dedicated work, Iwan has earned a
reputation among local and international art buffs as Indonesia's
leading batik artist. Most of his life has been dedicated to the
development and preservation of batik art. He tirelessly displays
his superb works around the world: from his hometown of Jakarta
to other cosmopolitan cities of New York, London, Paris, or even
the remote island of Mauritius.
Iwan delighted his faithful admirers in Bali last week with a
series of unparalleled batik creations on display during an
exclusive show at the Four Seasons Resort in Jimbaran Bay, as
well as an elaborate batik exhibition entitled Batik Continuity
and Change at the Ganesha Gallery also at the resort.
The exhibition opened on July 23 and will continue until Aug.
16.
The fashion show was attended by fashion designer Josephine
Komara (Obin), who now spends most of her time in Bali, and also
actress and veteran model Rima Melati. More than 800
distinguished guests flocked to the show.
Gallery manager and curator Ambar. B. Arini said that this was
part of the venue's annual arts program.
"This year, we want to present contemporary batik art by Iwan
Tirta. We want our guests to obtain adequate knowledge about our
most ancient art forms," Ambar said after the show.
The fashion show displayed most of Iwan's lavish evening
gowns, mainly in prada (gold embroidery), one of his trademarks.
A number of male models exhibited a series of inspiring batik
outfits, some complemented with lengths of batik cloth.
At the back of the stage, Iwan was busy dressing his models.
The youngest of five born to an intellectual family, Iwan
obtained his masters degree in International Law in the early
1960s from Yale University in the United States.
His devotion to classical Javanese dance and batik art,
however, totally changed his destiny. Instead of becoming a
lawyer or professor of law, Iwan nurtured his career in batik
art. He extensively modified and reinterpreted classical batik
patterns into more contemporary styles without losing their
original philosophical meanings.
At the same time, he documented existing traditional batik
patterns from all over Indonesia. He is one of the pioneers in
the design and production of Western-style batik dresses.
The batik exhibition which also displays batik garments, wall-
hangings and Iwan's most recent experiments on earthenware
products elaborately decorated with various batik patterns.
During the exhibition, Iwan displayed his skill in the art,
engrossing himself in the creation of a design. Using a canting,
a special tool used to draw batik patterns, Iwan mesmerized many
of the visitors.
"Creating batik cloth becomes a journey to my inner world. It
is my most peaceful and inspirational moment," Iwan once said in
his Jakarta studio.