Our Main Building and galleries will not be open to the public for Nuit Blanche. Access to “Hopes and Fears Assembly” will be on the northwest side of the Main Building.

August 28, 2022

The Batik Library: Batik Workshop

Drop-in Workshop Sessions

British Columbia

Batik Library

Photo courtesy of the artist

Overview

Batik is a wax resistant dying technique believed to be perfected by the Javanese in Indonesia. The intricate motifs and patterns in each batik fabric hold stories, legends, and mark every occasion from birth to death, earning recognition in UNESCO’S Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In this meditative, hands-on session, you’ll learn the art of batik Tulis or “handwritten” batik. Using a canting, a traditional pen-like tool, you’ll learn about specific batik patterns and the history of how fabric can be used as a form of storytelling.

Each workshop is limited to 10 participants, first come, first served. The workshop is open to youth and adults.

About Bernarda Antony, Facilitator

Bernarda Antony has worked with Indonesian Batik since her first collection. She incorporates legends and folklore into her elegant designs through these traditional motifs and maintains a connection to her home. Antony is on a storytelling journey about the myths, motifs and meaning behind Indonesian Batik. An alumnus of LaSalle International College in Jakarta and Sugino Fashion College in Tokyo, she shares the technique and tradition of storytelling with fashion through The Batik Library, offering unique pieces that blend distinctive patterns with a modern, gender-neutral design for a one-of-a-kind look. She also provides workshops introducing Batik making to hobbyists and community members in North America.  

You can usually find Antony in the crowd of her local craft market or behind the scenes in the costumes department, always craving a Martabak. 

Dates & Times

August 28
12pm – 12:45pm
1:45pm – 2:30pm
3:30pm – 4:15pm
5:15pm – 6pm

More Info

Each workshop is limited to 10 participants, first come, first served. The workshop is open to ages 12+. Younger children may participate with the assistance of a guardian.

Venue

HarbourKIDS Tent

235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, ON