Introduction to Art Through Culture and Batik Immersion: Two-day workshop

Join visiting artists Agus Ismoyo and Nia Fliam from leading Indonesian batik studio, Brahma Tirta Sari (Yogyakarta), and First Nations Educators Kabi Kabi artist Maggie Jean Douglas and Butchulla & Kuku-Yalanji man Noah Watson for a two-day workshop focused on the National Gallery program Art Through Culture and batik culture and technique.

Participants will spend the first morning experiencing the exhibition Emily Kam Kngwarray and engaging with the Art Through Culture principles. In the afternoon of day one and all of day two, participants will learn the traditional wax-resist cloth dyeing process of batik and have the opportunity to create their own batik painting on cotton. This workshop is an introduction to batik and no prior experience is required.

Registration includes all workshop materials and exhibition entry.

About the artists:

Ismoyo and Nia developed their batik practice in Yogyakarta, Central Java, in the 1980s. Celebrating the rich heritage of ancient batik textile techniques and the expansive cultural traditions of Indonesia, their work draws on the long tradition of wax-resist cloth dyeing in this region and incorporates the motifs and techniques of the empu (master) batik artists.

In 1994, Ismoyo and Nia hosted ten women artists from Urapuntja/Utopia, Central Australia at their studio in Yogyakarta to learn new batik techniques and prepare for their joint travelling exhibition, ‘Hot Wax.’ In 1995, Ismoyo and Nia received funding from the Northern Territory Department of Education to hold Batik workshops throughout the Central Desert, including at Urapuntja/Utopia. During this visit, Ismoyo and Nia met senior Anmatyerr artist, Emily Kam Kngwarray, and taught batik to several other artists from her community. These visits led to an ongoing relationship with Urapuntja/Utopia artists and the production of collaborative batik artworks, including works now held in the national collection. Ismoyo and Fliam continue their commitment to teaching, collaboration and cultural exchange in their contemporary practice.

Emily Kam Kngwarray:

These workshops are part of a series of public programs focused on batik in the practice of senior Anmatyerr artist, Emily Kam Kngwarray, connected with the extensive survey exhibition of her work on display at the National Gallery, 2 Dec – 28 Apr 2024. Emily Kam Kngwarray brings together the most important works of Emily Kam Kngwarray’s oeuvre, from early batik textiles to later monumental paintings on canvas.

Art Through Culture:

The Art Through Culture principles are the Learning and Digital teams’ contribution to the National Gallery of Australia’s First Nations First commitment. We consider the principles in the work we do to ensure all engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and artists is always respectful. In this workshop, First Nations educators Maggie-Jean Douglas and Noah Watson will share the Art Through Culture principles with participants and demonstrate learning strategies in relation to Emily Kam Kngwarray’s batiks.