A museum exhibit of batik paintings will be on display in Singapore through the end of the year, and the colorful work is full of movement, life, and feeling. It shouldn’t be missed.
The artist himself likely has a piece that Singaporean commuters have walked by on a daily basis but failed to recognize — a giant glass print of batik panels at a transit stop. The original batik masterpiece that inspired this recreation will be on display for the first time as a part of the exhibit. The exhibit itself is a retrospective on classic and new works from Sarkasi Said, who is a talented and prolific batik artist.
Batik art is in the artist’s blood. His grandmother sold batik masterpieces herself, but the artist didn’t begin creating art in the batik style until he saw an Italian artist displaying batik work in a Singaporean show. Outraged that a foreigner was succeeding in a medium that was typical to Southeast Asia — and his family’s history and culture — Said began dabbling in batik himself.
He stuck with batik and tended toward the abstract through the years. Said explained that it was because when a person grows as an artist, they start with faithful, realistic reproductions of what they see. Many artists use still life as a way to hone their skills and develop new techniques over time. Said described his abstract work as still reproducing the still life, but adding in how he feels about the subject.
Said takes a good deal of inspiration in his batik paintings from nature. With colorful swatches of hues and shades and wild movement, one can envision wind blowing through foliage, or rivers and streams winding through flower-dotted grasses. Said himself grew up in the country on a classic kampung. And while his parents separated when he was young, the artist continued to derive pleasure and comfort in nature. He used to take naps in one of Singapore’s prominent parks, feeling like he was one with nature.
The family tradition of batik painting continues with one of Said’s sons. Said himself made a living from selling his batik paintings on the side of his road, compelling his family to help him. If he didn’t sell any paintings, they didn’t have money for food or other things they needed to survive. That’s why everyone pitched in. Said is happy that his son has found a career in batik painting, but emphasizes the importance on having a personal connection to the art, and forging a unique creative journey rather than following in the footsteps of someone else.
Taking an art class can help bring more creativity into your life. Visit SGArtClass.com to browse the many different classes that are offered and to find out how you can enroll. Teachers are experts at leading lessons and will adapt lessons to fit into your busy schedule.
To read more about the artist’s background and batik artworks, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/batik-artist-sarkasi-said-is-inspired-by-nature.