The growing interest in “Batik” leads the author to believe that this Handbook, describing the various processes and illustrating a number of definite problems, will meet the need of many artists, teachers, and craft workers who wish to try their hand at this new and fascinating oriental art.
The book does not attempt to present a historical or critical study of “Batik,” but to give detailed directions for doing the work under American conditions. “Batik” presents many new and interesting problems for art workers who have wearied of china painting, metal work, embroidery, etc. It not only permits the worker to produce exquisite gowns, scarfs, table covers, bags, curtains, and many other articles that will express her own individuality, and be exactly suited to the color scheme and design of their surroundings, but it also will enable the worker to produce articles of commercial value which are readily salable. As the beauty and value of “Batik” depends almost wholly upon the personal touch and artistic taste of the worker who produces it, there is little likelihood of its being commercialized or produced by mechanical processes. This promises to keep it an individual craft.
While “Batik” offers large opportunities for home workers, it also presents an interesting field for industrial art problems for students in art schools, high schools, normal schools, and colleges. Many progressive art teachers are offering courses in “Dyes and Dyeing” in connection with their scientific study of “Color,” and relating them also to the work in “Costume Design,” “Interior Decoration,” and “Domestic Art.”
“Bateeko Powder Dyes” are recommended for Batik work. These dyes can be prepared and kept in bottles in strong solution, ready for immediate use. It is not necessary to boil the goods in the dyes, as they work successfully in tepid water and without constant stirring. These dyes are recommended as unusually beautiful and brilliant, yet soft in tone.
Mr. Albert Buell Lewis, Assistant Curator of the Department of Anthropology in the Field Museum, Chicago, has furnished interesting historical data and supplied a number of illustrations from his private collection of “Batiks.”
Photographs have been kindly loaned by the following: The Art Institute of Chicago; Professor Albert W. Heckman of Teachers College, Columbia University; the “Keramic Studio;” the “Industrial Arts Magazine;” Mrs. Helen Reed of New York City; Mrs. Caroline Kohl; Miss Amy Swisher of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; Lieutenant Jean Paul Slusser of the U. S. General Hospital, Fort McHenry, Ind.; Miss Rose Buhlig of the Lindblom High School, Chicago; Miss Anna Tyrell.
The publishers are under special obligation to Miss Mary C. Scovel, Head of the Normal Department of the Art Institute of Chicago, who prepared the outline and first draft of this book, and gave many practical suggestions.
They would be glad to receive suggestions or interesting photographs of “Batik” suitable for use in connection with future editions of this book.