Editor's Notes
Irian S. Christie was recipient of ORCA Travel Grant #206 to present at SECAC 2025.
Abstract
As an artist with both Indonesian and Southern American roots, I explore how batik—an Indonesian textile art using wax and dye—can speak to identity, family, and memory. Batik has been a constant symbol in my life, worn with care at gatherings and linked to respect, heritage, and cultural pride. The patterns and clothing brought my family together. Today, I carry that forward in my own way. I use traditional wax-resist methods—cotton, beeswax, and natural dyes—but instead of repeating patterns, I create portraits. This change lets me mix batik’s history with stories from my life. My work reflects the physical and emotional distance in my family, especially across different worlds, and tries to bring those relationships closer through the works I create.
In batik, flowers and patterns often show family background or social standing. I keep that meaning but connect it to each person—using birth flowers or symbols of their personality. My pieces are layered, bright, and often left partially unfinished to show what is remembered and what feels forgotten. This project combines researching the roots of batik and studio work to show how batik can still be meaningful today—both as a traditional art and a way to tell stories.
Recommended Citation
Christie, Irian S.
(2025)
"What Lies Beyond Batik,"
Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal: Vol. 9:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/steeplechase/vol9/iss1/2