Calling All Batik Lovers!

Malaysian Batik

Jadi Batek Gallery was invited to conduct a batik drawing demonstration and two batik fashion shows at the Batik and Sarong Rendezvous “Touch of Kampung” dinner by Mutiara Goodyear Development Bhd, the developer of Nadayu, held at the project site in Hulu Klang, Ampang.

The event saw the crowd, made up of expatriates and locals VIP enjoying an evening filled with Malaysian culture and fashion.

The fashion show by Jadi Batek saw two segments with models strutting a collection of batik for leisure and formal wear.

Mutiara Goodyear Executive Chairman Mr.Hamidon Abdullah said the event was held to introduce the Nadayu, a unique choice of bungalows to the public. It is designed with the idea of stylish comfort conceptualized by art and nature.

Jadi Batek Gallery Creative Director Mr.Colin Yong said that the theme of the dinner is great because same as the Nadayu bungalow, every piece of batik is a masterpiece.

For more information, please visit:

-Jadi Batek Gallery (www.jadibatek.com)

-Nadayu (www.nadayu.com)

Malaysian Batik - Resort Wear

Malaysian Batik - Craftan

Traditional yet modern Malaysian Batik wear - Kebaya

Elegance chic suitable for evening wear

24 Feb – 8 Mac 2010

10am – 5pm

Craft Design Centre, Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur

Kraf Festival 2010

Kraf Festival 2010

Kraf Festival 2010

Kraf Festival 2010

Kraf Festival 2010

artists   MONIKA BEHRENS, ROCHELLE HALEY & SAMSUDIN WAHAB

dates   28^th February – 14^th March 2010

venue  RIMBUN DAHAN, Kuang, Selangor

KUANG: Rimbun Dahan will be hosting its annual exhibition at the end of February, 2010. A much anticipated event on Klang Valley’s arts calendar, the 15^th Rimbun Dahan Residency Exhibition will showcase artworks by Monika Behrens (Australia), Rochelle Haley (Australia) and Samsudin Wahab (Malaysia). All three artists are residents of Rimbun Dahan, the family compound of architect Hijjas Kasturi and Angela Hijjas in Kuang, outside Kuala Lumpur.

Rimbun Dahan Residency Programme

Rimbun Dahan Residency Programme started in 1994 and has provided residencies for Australian and Malaysian visual artists. Each artist is provided with accommodation, working space and monthly stipend for the year as well as an exhibition. No commissions are taken on the sale of artworks, but Rimbun Dahan selects two pieces from each artist for its permanent collection. The residency programme is fully funded by architectural firm Hijjas Kasturi Associates Sdn in appreciation for the opportunities that the Hijjas family has enjoyed in Malaysia and Australia besides supporting the arts in encouraging artistic and cultural ties between the two countries.

The programme has expanded since its inception by also providing short-tem (6-week to 3-month) residency for Southeast Asian artists, writers, poets and choreographers. The Rimbun Dahan Dance Residency programme is run by Bilqis Hijjas.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The 15^th Rimbun Dahan Residency Exhibition at Rimbun Dahan Gallery, showing works by Monika Behrens, Rochelle Haley and Samsudin Wahab, is open to the public from 28^th February – 14^th March, 2010. The underground gallery is set within a 14-acre ground with an organic herb & spice garden, orchard, forested & wetland areas, century old restored kampung house from Perak and an Anglo-Indian bungalow from Penang.

Rimbun Dahan opening hours during the exhibition are Saturdays & Sundays 10 am–6 pm, on weekdays by appointment. Admission is free.

There will be an Artist Talk at 3 pm, Saturday, 6^th March, 2010 in the gallery and a guided Tour of Rimbun Dahan at 9 am, Sunday, 14^th March, 2010.

More details of the programs & a map to the venue can be downloaded from www.rimbundahan.org

Venue

Rimbun Dahan

Kilometer 27, Jalan Kuang

Kuang 48050 Selangor

Malaysia

Tel/Fax

+603 6038 3690

E-mail

rimbundahan@gmail.com

Invitation card by Tay Mo Leong

The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery recently published the catalogue for “Tay Mo Leong Retrospective”, an exhibition that featured the lifetime watercolour and batik masterpieces of locally renowned artist, Tay Mo Leong. The exhibition was organized and curated by the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery together with guest curator, Dr. Tan Chong Guan. The exhibition was the 3^rd Retrospective exhibition held by the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery and was also Tay’s 9^th solo exhibition.

The exhibition was officially launched by the guest of honour, Penang State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee Chairman, YB Tuan Wong Hon Wai who also quoted that the exhibition was a great tribute to one of Penang’s most outstanding artists.

The exhibition was held at The Penang State Art Gallery from Nov 2^nd to Nov 30^th 2009 and featured over 50 watercolour and batik paintings that backdated to the 1950’s and included Tay’s latest masterpiece, Old Postcard from China. The exhibition also featured his self-invented batik tools. Some of the highlights for the month-long exhibition were talks on watercolour and batik paintings by Tay and a specially designed children booklet as part of Project Bintang Kecil to expose children to the art of Tay Mo Leong. The project according to Dato’ Tang Hon Yin, the Chairman of The Penang State Art Gallery, was hatched to sow seeds of art appreciation in children. It is also Tay’s philosophy to spread the interest towards art and his knowledge as an artist to the public especially the children. He believes this is the only way to cultivate a better future generation of artists.

Tay also donated three of his masterpieces to The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery as part of a permanent collection.

The 70 year old Tay Mo Leong started his 45 years career as a watercolour artist and gradually evolved into a batik artist in the early 1960s. His maturity in style and skill in his watercolour paintings was well known in the art scene but his passion towards batik painting had superseded him and made him a batik artist. One of his early batik masterpieces was Rubber Trees (1961) which used crackling effects to beautifully create the branches of rubber trees. Later on, an Europe tour had Tay blending tapestry into his batik paintings while his Bali trip in the early 1970s was turned into a series of batik paintings which featured Bali’s beautiful and mystical Legong dancers.

In conjunction with the exhibition, The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery also published a 300-page hardcover book entitled “Tay Mo Leong Retrospective”. In the book, the Editor cum Guest Curator, Dr. Tan Chong Guan had quoted him as one of the recognizable figures in Malaysian art today. Through the book, artists and art lovers will learn about Tay’s life and his accomplishments. The book also features 65 watercolour paintings and 65 batik paintings which are well arranged to walk us through Tay’s career as an artist. Apart from that, the book also features a brief history of Batik around the world; revealing Batik trade secrets and formula.

For more details on the book, contact The Penang State Art Gallery at 04-2613144.

Invitation.jpg

official opening

Tay Mo Leong Art exhibition

Date & Time: January 16 – March 20, 2010,  10am to 6pm (closed on public holidays)

Venue: Art Salon @ SENI, Mont Kiara,

             Lot 55350, Changkat Duta Kiara, off Jalan Duta Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Contact: +603-6203 1919

Website: www.senimk.com.my

This exhibition is a mini-retrospective showing about 50 of Zulkifli Yusoff’s paintings and sculptures from 1996 to 2009. The

15th Rimbun Dahan Residency Exhibition

Date: February 28–March 14, 2010

Venue: Rimbun Dahan

             Kilometer 27, Jalan Kuang, Kuang 48050 Selangor, Malaysia

Contact: +603 6038 3690 or rimbundahan@gmail.com

Website: www.rimbundahan.org

The 15th Rimbun Dahan Residency Exhibition at Rimbun Dahan Gallery will be showcasing works by Monika Behrens, Rochelle Haley and Samsudin Wahab. The underground gallery is set within a 14-acre ground with an organic herb & spice garden, orchard, forested & wetland areas, century old restored kampung house from Perak and an Anglo-Indian bungalow from Penang.There will be an Artist Talk at 3 pm, Saturday, 6th March, 2010 in the gallery and a guided Tour of Rimbun Dahan at 9 am, Sunday, 14th March, 2010. More details of the programs & a map to the venue can be downloaded from www.rimbundahan.org

Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF)

Date: March 2 (Wednesday) – March 6, 2010 (Sunday)

Venue: Putra World Trade Centre,

             41 Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contact: +(603)-92822888 or info@miff.com.my

Website: www.miff.com.my

Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) is a must see event for all furniture and furnishings retailers, interior designers, interior decorators, architects and product specifiers, Malaysian International Furniture Fair features more than 500 manufacturers, wholesalers and designers over a huge 35,000 square metres.

Malaysia International Jewellery Fair 2010 – Spring Edition

Date: March 12, (Friday) – March 15, 2010 (Monday)

Venue: Putra World Trade Centre,

             41 Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contact: +603-9058 8772 or exhibition@elite.com.my

Malaysia International Jewellery Fair (MIJF) has long manifested as eminent Jewellery show in Malaysia and across the region. The show name has established successful positioning in the market and essentially amongst major industry players and jewellery fraternities at the global forefront.

New Species – C4 by Zac Lee

Date: March 12 – 28, 2010

Venue: Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac),

             Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan,  51100 Kuala Lumpur

In his customary hyper- realist style with surrealist overtones and colour play, Lee presents the durian, an iconic Malaysian fruit , as an analogy for  aspects of Malaysian  political angst. This show possesses the quality work that is making Lee one of Malaysia’s most sought after artists, who combines technical agility with concept delivery.

7th Malaysia International Gold & Jewellery Fair 2010

Date & Time: April 10, 2010, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (Saturday)

Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC)

             Kuala Lumpur City Centre,    50088 Kuala Lumpur

Contact: +603-2166 2833

Website: www.jewelryshow-hka.com

Apart from exhibiting valuable & exquisite jewellery, gold jewellery will also be highlighted & specially showcased in this foremost jewellery exhibition.

HOMEDEC 09 (Home Decoration Exhibition)

Date & Time: April 30, 2010, 12:00 am (Friday)

Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC)

             Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur

Website: www.homedec.com.my

The big showcase and most vibrant marketplace for house owners who are planning their home renovations, redecoration, and refurbishment. Interior design clinics, seminars on home decor tips will be held concurrently.

Batik Calendar 2010, brought to you by TMS ART GALLERY

CALL 03-41075154 for appointment

Business Hour for TMS ART GALLERY, 10am -6pm, weekdays, after 6pm/ public holiday & weekend only by appointment

For enquiry, please email to tmsart@tmsart.com.my or log on to www.tmsart.com.my for more info

Please click the link below for more details.

http://mybatik.org.my/contest/miss-mybatik/

get the latest issue of myBatik #9, to have the original participant form. We wait for you

Dear myBatik Fans,

On behalf of the myBatik Team I would like to wish you a very Happy Chinese New Year & Valentine’s day .

It has been a great year for and myBatik and its customers. The batik industry has seen some very exciting developments in 2009, enhancing the overall image of the industry.

The team has been busy demonstrating and exhibiting locally and globally at a number of art exhibitions and batik workshops, along the year for myBatik promotion & Road Show…  

We would like to thank all of you who stopped by the exhibitions or attended the workshops this year to participate, say hello and give us you in invaluable feedback.

 For this year, we have more events, like Batik coloring contest, Batik hi-tea, Batik Fashion show..Batik enterpreneur Networking Forum and many more. You name it, and we make it. Other than that, we also will launch myBatik Friend card by this year.

We would also like to thank all of you who attended our group artist exhibitions this year, helping to make the events a huge success. We look forward to seeing you again at our 2010 art exhibitions.

We would also like to thank all of you who have visited our website, http://www.myBatik.org.my in 2009. We have had a record number of new members this year (50029 Members) and the website hits have risen to 82300!! 

Running up to Valentine, the myBatik magazine coming issue #9, is in the process of printing.

It looks like a busy and exciting looking 2010 in the world of myBatik and we would like to wish you Happy Chinese New Year & Happy Valentines’ day and hope to see you all some time after this.

May you always look to the past year with joy, and your wishes and hopes come true in this year 2010.

All the best in the year – 2010!

 Regards,

Emilia Tan

Publisher of myBatik magazine

Fame has its moments but it blinds the soul,
The tube wants to save a child but it wrecks the home,
A mistress enters and grabs all that is to a child,
Children of the world, are you there?
Two minutes and a message appears,
It’s the tube again with its famous friends,
Seduction is the game that rules the world,
Saving a child with nothing but lip service.
It leaves a child rootless and without much hope,
Children of the world, are you there?

The light of tomorrow is here to stay,
Mistresses who came, gone and forgotten,
A child who reads holds deep faith,
Faith blooms and the Maker enters.
Waking up to witness flowers and butterflies,
The child sits and composes a song,
The first verse contains suffering and love,
Children of the world, are you there?
No longer is the child sad and lost,
The second verse speaks of Heaven and Earth,
All that’s lost, found and treasured,
It’s a beautiful and sweet relief..

Image Courtesy: David Kibuuka

If you are a parent, you are probably wondering if art education is good for your child. The facts are that art education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the “learning field” across socio-economic boundaries. Here are a few points why your child needs art education:

• Art has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behaviour and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and holiday programmes targeted toward delinquency prevention.
• It strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
• Art helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting—skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
• It can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to destructive behavior and another way for students to approach learning.
• It provides another opportunity for parental, community, and business involvement with schools, including arts and humanities organizations.
• Art helps all students develop more appreciation and understanding of the world around them.

Looking at the points above, what then can a parent do to become an art advocate? One suggestion for parents is to collaborate effectively with other parents, teachers, principals and the local community to build, support and sustain ongoing arts instruction for all children.

Tell us something about your work and we will feature it on this blog. You don’t have to be an artist or art practitioner to participate in this project. It’s more like a “work-in-progress” thing and you are free to submit a work anytime. No time limits, and the main purpose is to encourage creativity and channel that creativity into something fulfilling. Inspired moments. Uninspired moments. We welcome both. Do you have what it takes? Email us your work at editor@mybatik.org.my 

On the other side of the street. We are in the midst of producing the 9th issue of myBatik. Looking smooth (though not forgetting occasional hiccups) and we can’t wait for it to be published. It is scheduled to be out early February and if you happen to drop by Kinokuniya or MPH, don’t forget to get a copy of it.

The Gallery @ Starhill has been around for more than 15 years. Located in Starhill Gallery, and as you may have heard, Starhill Gallery is a luxury shopping mall, this gallery was founded by an interior designer, named Chin Chin. At first glance, it looks like it might be just another gallery that sells paintings and miniatures to tourists, the art gallery has apparently made a 360-degree turn from other shopping mall art galleries by actually holding art talks and exploring new ways of engaging the public through blogs and YouTube videos.

How successful modern art galleries in Malaysia, very much depends on how receptive the public is towards art and their willingness to view money invested in art as cultural capital – something that is capable of providing enjoyment for the human soul and soothe a troubled soul as per art as stocks or bonds.

The uncompromising demands of work, play and after-work dinner appearances mean your chances of getting to Starhill Gallery by 6.00pm after office hours are slim. Knowing this, The Gallery @ Starhill stays open until 9:30pm, Monday-Sunday with music to complement the Monets.

venue: KL Convention Centre

date: 13 – 15 November 2009

Ina Craft exhibition 2009, take place in KL Convention Centre

besides of the exhibition, visitors also have achance to watch the indonesia fashion show

Indonesia songket is also one of Malaysian favourite

It was about 50 booths show case about indonesia Batik

Review Your Existing Advertising
If you haven’t kept a formal list of your advertising efforts, now’s the time to start. Knowing what works, what doesn’t, and when you last tried it will help you avoid making the same mistake twice. It can also help you decide when it’s time to re-test something that didn’t go so well the first time.

Evaluate your history
Let’s start with an inventory of everything you’ve tried to date to market your batik business. Record any action you’ve taken in the past year, jotting down all the information you have regarding that activity (cost, time invested, dates, duration of advertisement, etc.). Now, think about each of these efforts and be honest about what’s not working. Is it because you haven’t been able to dedicate enough time to it? Is it too costly? Or is it just truly not working for your audience? Be ruthless and drop anything that’s not yielding a return – especially if it’s costing you money. You can always try it again later.

Now that you’ve shortened your list to just the things that are working, pick one or two to expand through 2010. Decide how much time you’re going to dedicate to this activity each week, and if there’s a cost associated with it, budget what that will be. Make your goals as aggressive as you like, but make them do-able. Here are a few examples:

Increase Awareness with Business Cards
Carry business cards with you at all times. Share them with anyone you meet who shows an interest in your business, whether you’re at a client meeting, or a party where the topic of what you do for a living comes up in conversation. Give each person multiple cards, one for them and another one or two to share with someone they know who might also be interested in your services.

Place Online Banner Ads
This project involves several phases. 1) First you’ll need to identify potential sites that might refer sales-worthy traffic, determine their pricing/trade policies, and decide how much you’re willing to pay and for how long. 2) Then you need to create your own banner or pay a graphic designer to create one for you. 3) Once you’ve posted your banner, watch the results – you want to know how much traffic the site gets, how many clicks your banner receives, and how many sales or new customers you got as a result. 4) Use these numbers to determine the return on your ad investment (Total cost of banner advertising ÷ number of new customers gained = Cost Per Acquisition).

Promote Your Business with Email
Create your own electronic newsletter that speaks to your target audience and shows them how your products can help them. Email once a week or once a month – whatever fits into your schedule and makes your audience happy.

Once you’re done with your advertising review, celebrate! You’ve completed a task that all successful business owners do routinely to keep their businesses on track.

myBatik adalah suatu majalah triwulanan yang  mencurahkan perhatiannya pada batik, mengupas dengan jelas dan luas  meliputi batik sebagai fashion dan seni gaya hidup dan kominats batik. Dalam tajuk rencana kami menyajikan  secara penuh dan seimbang mengenai seniman, usahawan, pertunjukan, teknik baru, mendesain interior dan peristiwa dan berita yang terkait dengan batik. Sebagai tambahan, majalah ini mendorong komunikasi dengan bentiuk bentuk ekpresi budaya yang lain, perfilman, teater, tarian dan musik. hanya yang hanya satu-satunya penerbitan yang eksklusif mempersembahkan peristiwa dan perkembangan batik  dari seluruh dunia.

Pembaca Majalah myBatik

Pembaca myBatik adalah orang-orang yang mempunyai rasa unik dan tertarik terhadap batik. Terlebih Lagi, tidak hanya para kolektor yang sedang mencari beberapa potong  kain seni batik  yang halus akan berada di sana, tetapi juga akan ada pembaca yang yang berkeinginan mencari kerja sama di bidang batik ke dalam tempat asalnya dan membangun project komersil  seperti halnya seniman dan para perancang yang mencari inspirasi. Para pembaca kami akan mengacu pada edisi tigabulanan ini  melalui banyak cara dan dapat  menggunakan edisi dengan  acuan edisi berkelanjutan dalam jangka panjang.

myBatik diterbitkan empat kali dalam satu tahun di Malaysia dan selalu tersedia pada galeri -galeri  terkemuka, toko toko buku, pelabuhan udara, kantor pemerintah dan Kantor Serikat Pengrajin Batik di seluruh dunia.  myBatik merupakan e-magazine adalah Majalah yang daapt diakses melalui download pada internet  HYPERLINK “http://www.myBatik.org.my” www.myBatik.org.my.

Pemasangan Iklan didalam majalah myBatik

myBatik adalah majalah yang unik dan yang paling bisa mendukung secara berkesinambungan untuk usahan anda menjangkau para kolektor seni batik, para pembeli batik di luar negeri, seperti halnya Desainer Interior  dan para Perancang Busana yang menggunakan batik dalam pekerjaan mereka. Redaktur kami  akan menerbitkan empat artikel artikel terbaik dalam satu tahun dalam sebuah buku yang  dicetak dan dirancang dengan  indahnya, kaya akan warna dan sangat detil dalam informasi, yang menunjukan  seniman batik yang terbaik dan desain dan karya seni  di dunia. Sangat jauh dari media masa yang tersedia, terbitan kami sudah berlangsung sejak lama dan menyajikan pameran secara permanen dari bagian bagian seni,  penuh ide, dan informatif yang data data tersebut dapat dikumpulkan untuk digunakan dalam waktu bertahun tahun.

Kami, myBatik menginginkan anda untuk ikut berpartisipasi mengambil bagian untuk memperluas batik dan pasar batik secara globalisasi. Harapan kami para langgangan dan memasang iklan untuk mengikuti perkembangan batik ke dalam inovasi dan inspirasi para seniman dan gagasannya  dari majalah triwulanan ini.

Mutu majalah ini akan  tiada bandingnya. Nampak keseluruhan wajah dari terbitan ini adalah sangat penting bagi kita semua. MyBatik akan manjadi suatu lemari pamer bagi anda sebagai pemasang iklan dan dan pengarajin seni. Betapa pentingnya penyajian iklan anda  nampak dalam majalah tiga bualan ini  dan yang terpenting adalah  dengan artikel tentang produk tersebut. Pencintraan anda akan memberi kesan pertama bagi langganan kami.

Kami akan bekerja sama berdampingan dengan anda, mengembangkan dan akan membantu anda dalam memastikan bahwa anda mendapat manfaat dari kampanye iklan ini secara effektif.

Terima Kasih,

Hormat Kami,

Emilia Tan

Direktur Utama

TMS ART MARKETING SDN. BHD.

TMS Art Gallery

TMS Art Workshop

Web:  HYPERLINK “http://www.tmsart.com.my” www.tmsart.com.my

TMS Publishing House

Web:  HYPERLINK “http://www.myBatik.org.my” www.myBatik.org.my

Business Location:

TMS ART CENTRE :

No 301, Jalan Bandar 11,Taman Melawati, 53100 K.L. Malaysia.

Phone:  +60.3.4107.5154   FAX:  +60.3.4108.5154     Mobile: +60.16. 220 9959

Postal Address :

P.O.BOX 11529, 50748 K.L. Malaysia

Hubungi Kami Sekarang Juga!!

]]> http://mybatik.org.my/2009/12/letter-for-indonesian-batik-entrepreneur/feed/ 0 http://mybatik.org.my/2009/12/creating-a-batik-pulse/ http://mybatik.org.my/2009/12/creating-a-batik-pulse/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:28:42 +0000 admin http://mybatik.org.my/?p=508 The momentum is growing and members of local batik industries are not allowing a depressed economy to get them down. Instead; artists, musicians, writers and fashion designers are banding together to collaborate and brainstorm about how to strengthen our local industry.

Some ideas for batik practitioners to keep batik alive. It is our hope to see amateurs and professional artists from various backgrounds practise their social responsibility to develop their local communities, capitalizing on the learned values of tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and social cohesion through artistic expression and teamwork.

The strategies are as follows:

• Become an umbrella for artists through facilitating camps, forums, seminars, and meetings to help artists realize the value of their talents and encourage usage of their talents, and also to motivate the public to understand the real value of arts and media.
• Facilitate art workshops for talented people to learn how to create batik in a creative manner.
• Prepare and arrange two libraries (physical and electronic) to be available for the artists.
• Facilitate Art Reach trips to different countries, where arts play a role in community development and building different kinds of bridges.
• Support the use of artistic multimedia at workshops
• Establish arts centers in different cities which will provide academic artistic teaching for artists and help build bridges between the artists and their communities.

We invite you to submit your thoughts and ideas on how to keep batik alive.

The contributing writer will need to be capable of expressing complicated concepts in simple, practical language, and write for both academic & non-academic audiences. Writers should have previously done batik, possess a deep interest in batik or be experts in art, craft, fashion or cultural affairs. Intellectual thinking, critical thinking and a sense of humour are qualities we look for in writers. We value freedom of speech and writers are free to say what they want to say in written form – we accomodate differing thoughts and opinions. In short, many voices in one magazine.
 
For the 2010 Editorial Calendar, we are planning to feature write-ups on the following topics:
 
~ New Year & Batik in Love & Romance
~ Family business (batik or craft enteprise)
~ Batik in performing arts (music, dance, film or theatre)
~ Batik in interiors
~ Batik in commerce/business
~ Batik in schools/universities
~ Batik in politics
~ Design trends
~ Criticisms on current issues or trends
~ Cultural travels and observations of batik-making in Asia, Europe, America or the UK
~ Personal thoughts on issues related to batik
~ Creative/Artistic process (for batik art)
 
Since articles can be very visual, it would be good if writers include images whenever possible.
 
Requirements
 
1. Length of article:  A minimum of 2 pages in Microsoft Word format
2. Photo & image captions/courtesies are clearly indicated in the article
3. For images of paintings, writers are required to include the title and size of painting and the media used.
4. For photos of people featured, kindly include the full names of the people featured.
 
Things to Avoid
 
Please make sure not to duplicate content that’s already on any websites or published books. Avoid using language that is intimidating to novices. Plagiarism, copyright violations, racism, bigotry and anything that promotes violence are not tolerated.
 
Benefits of Being a Contributing Writer
 
The publication of your work will give you a “voice” in the batik community. You will also be contributing to the preservation of batik art and craft. For your participation:
 
~ Your biodata, email and website address will be included in myBatik and this will help you establish visibility as a writer, artist, and scholar. 
 
~ You will also receive 2 free copies of the issue that your work is published to pass on to relatives, friends, or put in a file to build your portfolio to assist you in securing other creative assignments.
 
~ You will become a part of a growing network of professional writers and creative artists.
 
Interested? Email the editor at editor@mybatik.org.my and let us know what’s on your mind. We are currently accepting submissions. The deadlines for submissions are as follows:
 
Coming Issue, 9th Issue: 20 December 2009
10th Issue: 28 February 2010
11th Issue: 31 May 2010
12th Issue: 31 August 2010
 
Many thanks and looking forward to hearing from you!

mybatik Presentation to Minister Defence Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahamd Zahid Hamidi, in Dubai, togather with Mr, Lee Hwa Cheng, Ms. Emilia & Mr. Seak

myBatik Presentation in Dubai Mall

Ms. Emilia with Dubai Police General Capt. Masoud Ibrahim Al Hammad

mybatik on the Dubai Street

mybatik for Marrybrown Manager in Dubaieveryone loves to read myBatik magazine

Malaysia Embassador in Dubai

300 celebrate Mother’s Day with family and friends for a good cause

MAY 10 – Mother’s Day does not have to be an exclusive celebration and 300 people – mothers and children, friends and family – turned up at the Bora Ombak Restaurant on Sunday night, May 10, to celebrate it for a good cause.

The Mother’s Day, Love, Appreciation and Charity night was for a good cause – single mothers, the ones who are both fathers and mothers to their children – and to reflect the appreciation for their hard work in bringing up their family with help from others.

For those who came, the night began right at the door where they walked on a red carpet and had photographs taken with most of the celebrities, Hollywood-style, as the Rumours band struck up the music. It didn’t end there as masseuses from Angsana Spa pampered the guests with some shoulder and hand treatment by Nuskin.

The vivacious Sazzy Falak, from the movie Gol and Gincu, was the host for the night as she got the crowd to participate and have fun for a magical Mother’s Day celebration.As dinner progressed, the 39 Touch group performed while models took to the catwalk to show of designs by Passages Metrojaya. Ryzal Mentor and Nora Rumours then sang to the delight of the audience followed by another fashion show by Aidawati Saidin.

Organisers, MIKEVENT Planner together with Patron, Datin Hjh. Farida then presented the contribution to the Persatuan Ibu Tunggal before the night continued with fashion shows by Nor Arfa Batik and up-and-coming designer Eentanurazima. The night special performance was by Dayang Nurfaizah and Shiha AF.

For the guests, DJ Zizi and Tuah from SuriaFM, one of the top Malay radio stations in the country, organised a lucky draw to ensure they went back home with more than just memories and photographs in Bora Ombak, which turned into a Balinese garden complete with its renowned Indonesian food.

The night ended with all participating in the infectious poco-poco dance with mothers and children celebrating the family bonds that made the event all the more memorable.

The Mother’s Day, Love, Appreciation and Charity event was initiated by young group of people who wanted to share their talents and special moments like this with the special person called Mum. They were inspired and love to share their talent, love and time to tribute it back to all mothers and in honour of single mothers.

Among the highlights was the special door gift crafted by “Penjara Wanita Kajang”.  Organiser Mike Manicka had personally went and approached for their support and to highlight the mothers in the jail who are still part of the celebrations.All proceeds from the event went to the Pertubuhan Ibu Tunggal Islam Wilayah Persekutuan & Selangor and the Malaysia India Council of Commerce and Community Development.

* RELEASED BY MIKEVENT PLANNER ON MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 10, 2009. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT CIK MUNIRAH KADER SHAH AT 0123303339

6th issue myBatik cover

Confusion to Strength

To anybody’s imagination, the very man who held Daimler Chrysler Malaysia at the helm for years contributed only to the automotive industry or knew only business, or a combination of both. That albeit being a reality, showed only a fragment of his life—one that burst with the colors of Malaysian art.

“I only know how to look at things from the business side.”

Dato’ Frank Steinleitner insisted that he was nobody in the fashion scene; his blue eyes revealed his broiling discomfort when he touched the fashion topic. It would not be at all comical had it not come from the lips of one of the first people who established the prestigious Malaysia International Fashion Awards (MIFA). He subsequently moved on to witness the growth of other influential fashion bodies Malaysia Official Designers Association (MODA) and Stylo.

By right, if a man confessed that he had little life apart from his work, it could only mean one thing: he did have little life apart from work. But, the very man who helped nurture the growth of Malaysian fashion arena was also the one of the leading sponsors of Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. His passion for beautiful things did not stop at pre-dawn antique shopping on the dark streets of Beijing. He also visited rural villages in Terengganu to see for himself the tedious production of Malaysian traditional dye-print art.

“I’m not a fashion icon,” he stressed again, “I’m not even fashionable to begin with.” Yet his lips curved upwards whenever he spoke of the growth of local fashion as well as performing arts industries. “I just like to create things and make things happen. I believe [that] development isn’t about majestic architectural, but more on education.” To him, education meant two types of platforms: one, for young people to express their thoughts and ideas; another, exposure—in short, a stage basking with spotlights and flashlights.

Dato’ Steinleitner watched local star designers, namely Khoon Hooi and Melinda Looi, emerged from the platforms he helped erect. That was only two success cases. To him, there were thousands more aspiring art students who would one day shape the fashion world and these young people deserved to be seen. “Malaysia is a vibrant country. Unlike Europe, here, you can do Indian fashion, Islamic fashion, Chinese fashion and so much more!” The possibilities were endless. That was the major reason why he got himself involved in the leading fashion events.

Although happy for Khoon Hooi and others who had made a name for themselves via the MIFA platform, he was disheartened that not many batik designers seized the opportunities to showcase their works in the annual event. “Batik is not something every country has.” All the more, batik had to be treasured and promoted. Despite colossal efforts by the government, its mark in the international fashion scene was still minimal. Batik’s confused status explained its lack of success.

“Somebody must make a decision. Batik either has to be handicraft or fashion,” he said. The rationale, simple business strategy: “If [batik is] handicraft, it can afford to retain its current image. It can be hand drawn, individually produced, expensive… But if batik is to be more [towards] fashion, then it has to be mass produced, made younger and affordable. Fashion isn’t about couture only. It has to reach the mass.”

“To the younger generation, batik looks old… boring… something people wear to formal functions…,” he sighed. Batik had not permeated deep enough into the Malaysian society as a fashionable wear. To be fashionable, batik must rise to the frontline of everything trendy. To do that, it must first be competitive enough to survive the mass’ ephemeral tastes. “That means, it must be produced efficiently,” he declared, “and that will make it affordable.”

“I can only speak from the business point of view,” he said again. And it was the lack of business views that limped the progress of the batik industry. Many batik designers were not business savvy. Many were poor farmers or fishermen—people who relied heavily on government’s subsidies and financial assistance—trying to pocket some extra income dyeing cloths. These people just did not have the capital to mass produce.

The development of batik into something synonymous to the national identity had been discussed for too many years, and yet the results were disappointing. He believed that the core issue was not lousy marketing, nor was it horrid quality. “Really, someone… like the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage… should decide how they want the world to see batik. A re-positioning would give batik another beginning on a new footing.”

Repositioning required smart business thinking. “It’s worth thinking (on how to improve the batik industry). I will think about it and we can share more next time,” he promised. But, before that, batik must know whether it was handicraft or fashion.

Introduction of myBatik magazine via a Batik workshop @ MPH bookstore.

Date: 26th April 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 2-4pm
Venue:  at MPH 1 Utama (Booker Room)

call +603. 4107 5154 for registration

fee: RM20 per head

Batik Workshop: Unleash the Artist Within with Batik Art

- Batik is a unique traditional Malaysian art form that is sadly lost to most of our generations today. In this workshop, we aim to reintroduce batik as a form of modern art and bring out the artist that we know is there within each individual.

Each person will be given a piece of fabric, framed and pre-drawn with some basic batik motifs. Just play and have fun experimenting with the batik paint, similar to painting with water colours.

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