seen on the scene
Batiked!
In Celebration of the 70th Year Anniversary
Indonesia-USA Diplomatic Relations
By: Heidi Powell-Prera, Photographer/Journalist
The Honorable Nana Yuliana brought gifts and cultural performances to the
opening which was attended by students and art lovers alike. Kris Larsen did a
phenomenal job putting the exhibition together which features works by Mia
Fliam, Agus Ismoyo, and Lone Star College-Kingwood’s Mari Omori, Batiked!
explores the intricacy, beauty and history of Indonesian textile crafting, as re-
searched by LSC-Kingwood’s fine arts faculty Mari Omori.
Agus Ismoyo was born in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and does not remember when he
began doing Batik, it is a part of his culture and has always been a part of his life.
He met Mia Fliam in a studio in Indonesia while she was there studying Batik
after graduating from Pratt in New York. Mia fell in love with the Batik tradition
while studying painting and received a one year grant to study Batik in Indonesia.
She has lived there ever since and travels the world teaching its traditions, history
and techniques.
Mia told me “ this creative process teaches us that we live in three worlds- the
microcosm which is the self and tells us we are alive, the macrocosm the universe
which gives us life and the source of creativity which creates life.”Ismoyo says that
to him creating Batik is a way to become one with nature and the source of cre-
ativity. The pieces are intricate and full of sacred symbols depicting trees, animals,
and the cosmos. One piece that struck me in particular is called the Sacred Zoo
and it is a collaboration of many Batik artists from all over the world. The symbols
are of sacred animals from many cultures. The piece was mailed to each artist to
add their part, creating a powerful and sacred piece.
To make an appointment to see the exhibition before April 16th or for more in-
formation contact : Lone Star College-Kingwood Fine Art Gallery
[email protected]
14 iF Magazine |April 2019