Yesterday afternoon, Emily and I went to learn how to create a Batik. It is a style of art that I think was originally from Indonesia and it uses wax and dye to create the images. So at 1o'clock we set off to meet Filex (or 'The Big F' as he prefers it) who was given the task of turning us into artists.
We met him at a local club, mainly because I think there is no way we would have found his 'studio' but also because I think if we had of found his studio, we would have been scared and run away. He led us through a dark, airless restaurant, past a bunch of concrete rooms where people were cooking over open fire on the ground, around a guy using a foot-peddle powered singer sewing machine to make suits, down some rocky makeshift stairs, through rubbish piles filled with corn-husks and bird claws (they looked too big to be chicken's feet), around a guy bringing printers from the 90s back to life, past his bone-marrow sucking, sour-faced sister and finally into his little shared studio where wax boiled over coals and his brother played draughts with bottle caps.
But there was no need to worry. These guys were all super friendly and we had a great time creating our artworks, getting high on toxic fumes and being schooled about Gospel music.
I won't lie, Filex did a lot of the work but my hands were dirty enough at the end of it to claim a bit of the credit.
It started with a sketch.
Did I mention he had some of the coolest tyres/thongs on his feet - of his own creation of course.
Then the first coating of wax. He is helping me here with the details which took a bit of extra skill.
Then, after the first colours went on it was out to the line to dry.
Then more colour and more drying. It doesn't seem to matter about lighting fires in a room full of paints??
Lots more steps which I have already forgotten... and then we had to get the wax off. The ol' hand washing technique came in handy here. (Emily and I have been asked several times if we are twins...I can see why here!)
The it needs to be ironed - but you have to get the coals hot enough first! Nothing is easy in Africa.
And the finished product. Ta-Da!
Till next time x
Filex on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq4xCmsQPrU
Haha...dont you love the tyre tread footwear. Perfect for stepping on thorns and prickles and throwing at attacking lions. I believe once you have a pair, you hand them on down to your sons and then they to theirs. I think they are such a wonderful idea. Ash, you are so lucky you got to do batik in africa, what an experience! Love your blogs! Cant wait to get home and read what you have written at the end of every day. Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope yours is an experience to be remembered. xxx
ReplyDeleteIn my late teenage and early 20 years Ash Batik was very fashionable. Had several wrap around skirts. Great to start from the ground up. Thank you for sharing. HAPPY NEW YEAR> May it be a rewarding year. XX
ReplyDeleteNo sense in wasting a tire just because it's flat. I thought they were very creative? I do have to ask "What were the straps made of?"
ReplyDeleteThey are 'flip flops' not 'thongs' haha
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you, emily, claire and kieran!
Prepare to save lots of lives when you are back to work!