BATIK is each an artwork and a craft that’s an simple a part of Malaysian tradition. But regardless of its vast reputation within the nation, not all batik fans are conscious of the time-consuming approach required to provide this priceless heritage.
We not too long ago found an excellent batik artist who shares his voice by means of his creative works.
In a e mail interview with theSun, Lim Anuar – who hails from Kuala Lumpur and is a self-employed batik artist and artwork producer – expained his journey by means of the artwork, hardships and his inspirations.
Lim Anuar has been Deaf since delivery. Lim’s mom was involved about his difficulties and went on a seek for a particular faculty for him. When his mom found the Federation School for the Deaf, she instantly despatched him there for coaching when he was three years outdated.
Lim returned to Kuala Lumpur after ending his schooling to be able to discover work. Before pursuing a profession in artwork, he labored 14 totally different jobs.
Lim first met Datin Khairiah Khairuddin, the proprietor of Batik Sayang in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, within the Nineties, who supplied him a job in her batik manufacturing unit. Lim accepted the provide and started working part-time.
He started designing batik souvenirs beneath her supervision, and his concepts stunned her a lot that she later supplied him a full-time place at Batik Sayang. He then started to discover enormous potentials out there for batik.
Lim enrolled in Limkokwing University in 2005 to be able to get a proper qualification that may permit him to hunt employment prospects overseas. The administration of Limkokwing University was so impressed that they invited him to be a resident artist and characterize Limkokwing University with a workforce of 4 within the Piala Sri Iman batik portray competitors in Terengganu, the place they gained first place.
He was extraordinarily happy, as a result of he was the one Deaf contestant, and incomes first place demonstrated that he was nothing lower than distinctive.
When we questioned when he took an interest within the arts, notably batik, Lim mentioned: “My interest in the arts started when I was about ten years old.
“My first exposure to batik was during a school lesson in Penang, where there was an art subject that included batik painting.
“I was trained in a variety of mediums, including batik painting and linocut printing.
“There was a prominent Penang batik artist named Datuk Tay Mo Leong who inspired me to continue my batik journey. I was also inspired by my favourite batik paintings by popular local batik artists, the late Ismail Mat Hussin from Kelantan and the late Tan Thean Song from Penang, even though I never met them.”
His inspiration comes from his experiences rising up in Penang, which is house to individuals from all walks of life. He portrays scenes from his childhood, in addition to native wildlife.
“I was motivated more by foreign tourists’ requests, so I chose to realise my idea through a series of batik paintings focused on the subject of traditions, culture, and heritage, which have been shown and promoted all over the world so far,” he defined.
His first piece of artwork was titled One World, One Peace, and it served as inspiration for his portray collection known as Malaysian Life.
“Batik [technique] is still being created through my own way with modern knowledge of the batik materials, as well as design and themes of multicoloured shades and effects,” he continued.
“My present work is concerned with community themes such as gotong-royong.”
Gotong-Royong II is his favorite murals. In to the portray, the villagers’ educate their kids to comb up leaves from the bottom.
The spirit of goyong-royong attracts all Malaysians collectively to hitch arms and contribute to the neighborhood wherein they reside. It is a neighbourly technique to maintain our surroundings clear, secure, and wholesome, notably when local weather change impacts our day by day lives.
When we requested him in regards to the challenges he encountered as a Deaf artist, he mentioned speaking was probably the most troublesome.
“My Deafness put me in a very disadvantage situation in life. I am unable to express myself, share my thoughts, exchange ideas, or receive information quickly. What hearing individuals learn now, I [will find out] a few months later.”
“There are some situations when I struggle to cope, such as networking meetings, large group discussions, interviews, and phone conversations.
“Note-takers and interpreters are not always easily available or affordable. This communication barrier has impacted my ability to properly advertise myself in-person. It has also caused me to become shy and withdrawn.
“Deaf individuals can’t speak, and non-deaf people can’t sign well, so they can’t communicate with one other.”
He added: “Fortunately, new technology is developing at the moment, so we can resolve the communication barrier independently through text, email, and live transcription.”
Despite these technological advances, as a self-employed artist and artwork producer, he nonetheless faces numerous uncertainty by way of paid jobs and income.
It is troublesome for him to pursue this line full-time as a result of the Malaysian market is so restricted, and he lacks expertise in artwork advertising and promotion. Obtaining cash, mentorship, and coaching are additionally vital challenges.
Another problem he faces is managing his artwork enterprise on his personal. He realized by means of observe and by making errors. He additionally has to stability the business facet of issues whereas nonetheless creating paintings.
In the inventive business, probably the most troublesome ingredient of the creation course of is arising with new concepts and experimenting with new strategies of constructing new work that’s distinct from his previous creations.
In 2013, two of his work had been chosen to be exhibited within the Arts Kuala Lumpur exhibition in Miami at the side of the Art Basel Miami, Florida, United States, and 5 of his work had been additionally chosen for the Arts Kuala Lumpur exhibition 2014 & 2015 in Melbourne, Australia, which was organised and supported by National Visual Art Gallery and MATRADE.
He had the chance to compete in lots of native and worldwide occasions, and he gained quite a few awards. He represented Malaysia’s disabled neighborhood in numerous exhibitions and contests, together with these in Australia, India, and Japan. He obtained a gold medal (first prize) in silk portray whereas representing Malaysia on the eighth International Abilympic (Olympic of Ability) Competition in Korea in 2011.
Currently, one among his work is on show on the National Visual Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur for the Open Show occasion, and he’s engaged on a big ground mural mission measuring 7m x 120m.
In the close to future, he hopes to develop into a lecturer of artwork and design for the Deaf in an instructional establishment. He additionally needs to be an artwork marketing consultant and the supervisor of a Deaf artists’ artwork centre.
Lim aspires to be an expert artist on a world scale. He hopes that by reaching his aim, the general public shall be extra keen to recognise individuals with disabilities as equals and succesful.
His present and deliberate initiatives embrace creating high quality artwork batik work for wall hangings and mural artwork, in addition to participating in group artwork exhibition occasions.
He is planning new material work and painted by hand vogue for subsequent 12 months, in addition to two occasions of his solo batik artwork exhibition and painted by hand vogue present sooner or later.
He mentioned: “I wanted to create a new service/product of fabric painting and handpainted fashion for promotion through a handpainted fashion show with OKU models and an online shop to raise awareness.
“I feel that our ‘self-improvement’ will inspire others in the art industry. So I think anyone who are interested in working with us on future project collaboration or strategy planning are welcome to join us.”
by 
