In the post-pandemic era, everyone has become accustomed to finding joy in the small city of Hong Kong, seeking out activities rich in exotic cultures in familiar communities to add interest to daily life, whether it’s tasting Japanese cuisine or enjoying a Thai massage, just wanting to recapture the travel feeling that could relieve the tension of life two years ago. Yunike from Indonesia introduced the century-old Indonesian Batik craft to the people of Hong Kong a year ago, originally just to let everyone “travel in the clouds” through batik, unexpectedly also helping everyone find rare peace from the tip of a pen.
// From heritage to falling in love //
Yunike, who comes from a modeling background, started learning about Indonesian batik during her school days in her hometown. For Indonesians, the centuries-old Indonesian batik is not just a traditional craft, but a part of life that can be used in clothing, home textiles, interior decoration, and other areas, integrating cultural art into everyday life. In Indonesia, different provinces have unique patterns that best represent the characteristics of the region. In addition to common elements like plants, deities, and animals, these patterns also incorporate the experiences and stories of the creators, resulting in a wide variety of designs. Unlike other traditional cultures that pass down patterns through strict adherence, the flexibility and versatility of batik allow Yunike to find endless joy in creativity. “Batik allows me to find a balance between tradition and innovation, telling stories through a centuries-old craft and expressing my thoughts and ideas on fabric. Constant innovation is more interesting than just focusing on preserving tradition, allowing culture, life, and personal growth to evolve together, making me enjoy and love creating batik even more.”
// Embracing tradition, nurturing the soul //
Originally just wanted to introduce the traditional culture of my hometown to the people of Hong Kong, but Yunike, who became a batik instructor in Indonesia, unexpectedly discovered the healing power of Batik for urban dwellers. From contemplating creative themes, drafting, to putting pen to paper, every step allows everyone to be at peace with their inner selves, letting go of the distractions of daily life. “Creating Batik is like having a conversation with the soul, expressing ourselves through patterns that make us pause and reflect on our preferences, returning to the present moment to find inspiration in our daily lives. Faced with the limited space of the white cloth, you must confront your inner self and identify the elements that resonate most with you.” After deciding on a theme, Yunike describes the next step as another challenge for the soul: meditation. After drafting, you need to pick up the traditional tool Canting filled with hot wax, the initial nervousness of the first stroke combined with the fear of the high temperature of the wax forces you to calm your mind and focus. “Batik, like yoga, is a dynamic practice that emphasizes the integration of body, mind, and spirit, focusing on controlling both hands and eyes, where breath and thoughts must align.” Inhale, put the pen down, exhale, clear your mind, focus, and concentrate, every stroke comes from a calm mind.
// Personal spiritual practice in creation //
Yunike finds tranquility in Batik, not through meditation, but through the act of creation. It is a skill of finding peace in the midst of chaos, a necessary skill in daily life. “I love Batik because it teaches me to stay calm in any situation. In the crazy environment and life, taking a moment to be quiet, focus on the present, and return to a sense of calm makes me relaxed and enjoy it.” This enjoyment is not only for Yunike, but also for her local students. Through learning Batik, they find excitement and happiness in experiencing a different culture, and releasing stress in the process, finding a sense of satisfaction and calmness in their hearts, like a cultural healing through art therapy.
// Embrace mistakes, let go of attachments //
In the calm process of Batik creation, ripples are inevitable, which are the “mistakes” that everyone will have. In the modern digital-dominated life, we are too accustomed to the backspace and delete keys. When encountering a problem, just press a key, but in the world of Batik, there is no backspace and no delete. Faced with an occasional mistake, all you can do is let go of your attachment and embrace the mistake. “Batik is like life, with joy and sorrow, with smooth sailing and twists and turns. When you make a mistake unexpectedly, take a deep breath, pause for a moment, and then start again, correcting the mistake or adapting to it to create another pattern. Let go of attachment, be kind to yourself, lower your expectations to enjoy the process, so that life will not be overwhelmed by pressure.”
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Executive Producer：Angus Mok
Producer: Vicky Wai
Editor: Candy Chan
Videographer: Angus Chau, Kenny Lee
Photographer: Angus Chau
Video Editor: Olaf Luk
Designer: Edwina Chan
Special Thanks: Yunike, batikku.hk
