The Language of Cloth is proud to announce the new name of our batik studio in Sragen, Central Java: Wirama Wastra literally means “words of cloth” in Javanese. There is no equivalent to the English word for language so Hartono and I decided on the closest name that would correspond to The Language of Clothin San Francisco. Our [...]
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Mega mendung with factory smokestacks
February 6, 2010 – 11:45 am
Mega mendung is the name of a batik pattern which originates in Cirebon on the north coast of Java. The name refers to clouds. The origin is Chinese, probably influenced by cloud decoration on 7th century Chinese bronze vessels. It is characterized by a gradation of color from light to dark. The effect is achieved [...]
Carbon Emissions Batik
December 23, 2009 – 4:09 pm
This batik is in the Kain panjang format and is a statement about the carbon dioxide emitted by our use of fossil fuels for transportation. It is based on a traditional mega mendung or cloud/rock pattern which originated in Cirebon on the north coast of Java. It is in the tradition of the batik dongeng, [...]
A winter sale of textiles
November 16, 2009 – 9:33 pm
For the past 5 years I have opened my door to neighbors, friends, and textile lovers every weekend during the month of December. I have enjoyed meeting many new people and sharing my passion for beautiful, hand made cloth from many countries. Over the last several years my focus has narrowed down to batik. It [...]
Batik in New York
November 13, 2009 – 3:51 pm
Hartono went to New York to meet some of his vendors and to present a trunk show and batik demonstration as the last past of his US visit. Here he gives an impromptu mini workshop to an eager [participant.
San Francisco Batik Workshop a Success
October 31, 2009 – 7:01 am
The eight participants who recently spent a full day learning the basic techniques of Javanese batik making were not surprised to find that it is not as easy as it looks. Using the wax pen (canting) was without a doubt the most difficult part. Here the students are applying dye to small isolated sections of [...]
Batik as FolkArt
October 25, 2009 – 6:52 pm
Hartono was guest artist at FolkArt Gallery in San Rafael, California and gave a presentation on batik to a very enthusiastic audience. Sharon Christovich, gallery owner and textile enthusiast was one of the sponsors helping to bring Hartono to the US for the first time.
Hartono Speaks the Language of Batik
October 22, 2009 – 5:30 am
Hartono offered firsthand experience in applying wax with the canting to visitors to Silk Moon Gallery in Sebastopol. Participants quickly acquired a keen appreciation for the skill required in creating the beautiful batiks he brought from his village in Central Java.
Janet Rodina continues to demonstrate her commitment to promoting traditional textile arts by bringing artisans [...]
Batik maker Hartono will be coming to the US for the first time for the month of October!
August 25, 2009 – 2:12 pm
Hartono who makes most of the batik in our collection will be visiting the US for the first time in October, coming from his village in Central Java and bringing a wonderful collection of new batik, along with the tools of his trade to give a series of presentations and workshops. Check Upcoming Events for [...]
Wisdom From the Forest
July 4, 2009 – 6:28 am
Click on the above photo to see more about natural dyes.
New natural dye colors on hand-woven Phnom Srok silk from Cambodia were inspired by my visit to Siem Reap last March.
When I was in Cambodia searching for hand-woven silk cloth for our batik, I had the opportunity to meet an amazing man who has devoted [...]
