Indonesia

The Block

A bold, stylized peacock (believed by some to guard the gates to Paradise) struts across the Indonesia block. Its regal demeanour is heightened by couched gold thread, which is a popular element in Indonesian handcrafts. Cut from a single piece of batik (thought by many to be the quintessential fabric of Indonesia) made with the time-consuming and ancient technique known as resist dyeing; this block, made by Siti Fathimah, demonstrates the Indonesian love of textiles that plays such an important role in their cultural heritage. Batik fabric pieces may take anywhere from five weeks to over a year to complete. The word itself is believed to have derived from ‘tik,’ the Indonesian word for dots, which is one method of applying the patterns or designs to the material.

Cultural Profile

A bold, stylized peacock (believed by some to guard the gates to Paradise) struts across the Indonesia block. Its regal demeanour is heightened by couched gold thread, which is a popular element in Indonesian handcrafts. Cut from a single piece of batik (thought by many to be the quintessential fabric of Indonesia) made with the time-consuming and ancient technique known as resist dyeing; this block, made by Siti Fathimah, demonstrates the Indonesian love of textiles that plays such an important role in their cultural heritage. Batik fabric pieces may take anywhere from five weeks to over a year to complete. The word itself is believed to have derived from ‘tik,’ the Indonesian word for dots, which is one method of applying the patterns or designs to the material.

Sponsor: Heidi and Michael Krol