"Art is used to look into one's soul." This thought by the writer George Bernard Shaw immediately brings us to the heart of the subject. BATIK is, in fact, for me, a source of life. Practicing this art allows me to be with myself, to empty my mind, and from the practice I draw the energy I need to continue on my path.
The BATIK technique is characterized by the use of beeswax to outline the areas to be colored and dyed. In particular, the fabric is first drawn on and, after waterproofing with beeswax mixed with paraffin, it is painted and dyed in the parts left uncovered.
The wax is poured onto the fabric using a special pipette called TIAINING. Over time, this pipette has undergone modifications; for example, a valve has been added (see the photo) and the pipette itself has been enlarged to allow for longer strokes.
I have been practicing BATIK since 1970 and it is a very ancient art; the first findings were made in sacred vestments kept in the Egyptian pyramids. Then it was handed down but, despite many epochal transitions, it has retained the sacred regard it deserves. In Bali, the BATIK method was practiced by princesses to make the emperor's clothes.
BATIK can be done on all natural fibers. On synthetic ones it is strongly discouraged as there is a real risk that the wax will burn the yarn. I like to work on pure silk both for the aesthetic results and for the properties of silk itself. In any case, at the end of the process the fabric is surprisingly identical on both sides.
The technique requires a very high concentration as the resulting work cannot be changed. Whether we like it or not, what has been done remains. In Bali they say that "When a person practices BATIK, their soul draws closer to God". Then the finished artifact is given as a gift so that whoever receives it can also benefit from this divine sensation.
Thanks to BATIK you can obtain scarves, ties, cushions, and bedspreads that are both original and classic but, above all, it is possible to achieve one of the most precious results for each of us: serenity. In the words of Pablo Picasso "Art shakes the dust accumulated in everyday life from the soul."
Eliana Spinelli