ABOUT MYBATIK MAGAZINE
Contents
Page
1.0 Introduction to myBatik magazine
1.1 What is myBatik magazine
1.2 Vision and mission of myBatik
1.2.1 Vision of myBatik
1.2.2 Mission of myBatik
1.3 The birth of myBatik Magazine
1.4 MyBatik magazine Team
1.5 Contributing writers of myBatik from different countries
1.5.1 Contributing writers from Malaysia
1.5.2 Contributing writers from Singapore
1.5.3 Contributing writers from United Kingdom
1.5.4 Contributing writers from United States
1.6 Content of myBatik magazine
1.7 Quality writing – sample articles:
• Confusion to Strength
• Batik in Pekalongan – A Melting Pot of Culture
1.8 Role of e-magazine (via www.ibatik.com.my) in promoting batik
2 Importance and impact of myBatik toward batik industry in Malaysia
2.1 Impact on the economy
2.2 Impact on job creation
2.3 Impact on art, culture, fashion & lifestyle
2.4 Impact on small scale batik entrepreneurs
2.5 Impact on medium scale batik entrepreneurs
2.6 Impact on batik manufacturers & suppliers
2.7 Impact on the image of Malaysian batik at international level
Appendices
Appendix A: Bio-data of Emilia Tan
A.1 Who is Emilia Tan
A.2 Exhibitions conducted by Emilia Tan
A.3 Activities conducted by Emilia Tan
Appendix B: Press Clippings about Emilia Tan’s Batik Art
Appendix C: TMS Art Marketing Sdn. Bhd. Organisation Structure
C.1 TMS Art Marketing Sdn. Bhd.
C.2 TMS Art Centre
C.3 TMS Art Gallery
Appendix D: Letters of Support
1 Introduction to myBatik magazine
1.1 What is myBatik Magazine
myBatik is a quarterly magazine devoted to batik, broadly defined to encompass batik in fashion, art, lifestyle and community. It covers batik-related news, issues and events in and outside Malaysia. myBatik is a new art magazine with the aim of getting the public more interested in batik and to know about the improvements and “going on” in batik industries around the world. Generally the contributors in this magazine are well-known batik artists, members of the public and other influential personalities.
With the creation of myBatik magazine, a link is created for all batik industry stakeholders to participate and contribute. myBatik magazine was created to connect batik entrepreneurs, designers, artists and those who have an interest or a stake and ensure the batik industry prospers.
myBatik aims to bring a fresh, informative and sometimes irreverent perspective to how batik is made, consumed, appreciated and integrated into the fabric of our lives.
Our editorial content provides balanced coverage of artists, entrepreneurs, fashion, new techniques, interior designs and batik-related news and events. In addition, the magazine encourages dialogue with other forms of expressive culture: art & craft, film, theatre, dance, and music. It is the only publication that is exclusively devoted to the batik scene around the world.
1.2 Vision and mission of myBatik
1.2.1 Vision of myBatik
¬ To promote Malaysian batik and elevate the image of batik to an international level.
¬ To become a vehicle to further expose and promote up-and-coming batik artists and art patrons of exceptional artistic vision yet who fly under the mainstream radar.
1.2.2 Mission of myBatik
¬ To connect all batik manufacturers, batik art centers and batik-related companies together.
¬ To educate society on batik from its history, process of batik-making and update readers on current issues concerning batik.
¬ To encourage a society that loves to read and learn about the culture of Malaysian batik.
¬ To promote Malaysian batik to every corner of the world including tourists who visit Malaysia.
¬ To preserve a traditional Malaysian craft which is one of Malaysia’s precious cultural assets.
¬ To help the growth of batik industries in Malaysia and worldwide..
¬ To increase the competiveness in batik industries and increase the quality of batik products.
1.3 myBatik magazine Team
myBatik magazine team was formed by a group of professionals – writers, editors, photographers, graphic designers, and legal advisors. Every single personnel in the team were carefully selected by the managing director through a strict interview process. The publisher of myBatik magazine is Emilia Tan who is also the managing director of TMS Art Marketing Sdn Bhd. Emilia Tan is a well-known local batik artist who devotes her life for art and batik. Emilia Tan is also the founder of TMS Art Gallery which is located in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur. (Please refer to Appendix A for the bio-data of Emilia Tan and Appendix C for the company structure of TMS Art Marketing Sdn Bhd).
The editor of myBatik is Jeannie Cotter and the fashion editor is Sallendra. As an art magazine, an art director is vital and this position is headed by Ben Chin. All the photos in myBatik are taken by a well-trained and professional photographer, Danny Lee, who is the founder of Picture Designer, a quality photography studio.
The contributing writers of myBatik include local writers and writers from other countries such as Singapore, United Kingdom, and United States. The main writers are Raja Fuziah Tun Uda, Wairah Marzuki, Dr. Nazlina Shaari, Assoc.. Prof. Dr. Khairul, Ru- Shyan Yen, Dr. June Ngo and many other experienced writers.
1.4 Contributing writers of myBatik from different countries
1.4.1 Contributing writers from Malaysia
Raja Fuziah Raja Uda:
Raja Fuziah binti Raja Tun Uda (D.S.I.S., K.M.N) has been involved in the development and promotion of Batik in various capacities in the last thirty years. She was Director General of Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, founder member and Honorary Secretary of AHPADA, the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association, and Regional President of the World Crafts Council Asia Pacific. She used to serve in the OIC Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA). Currently, she is the President of Crafts Council of Malaysia and Honorary Member of WCC. Her professional commitments include being a Jury Member for the UNESCO Crafts Prize for the Asia Pacific Region, the UNESCO-AHPADA Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts for South-East Asia and the Malaysian National Award for the Arts.
Wairah Marzuki:
Wairah Marzuki (K.M.N.) is the former Director General of the National Art Gallery and she is also the former Chairman of the National Art Gallery Board of Trustees. She is an accomplished artist and also a follower of the Batik industry. Being an art education programmer and founder of the Malaysian Art For All, her expert opinions have been needed for several occasions. Wairah has judged numerous international and local competitions. She is also renowned for the heart group of talented special needs artists.
Dr. June Ngo:
Dr. June S.K.Ngo is a lecturer at the Faculty of Applied & Creative Arts, University Malaysia Sarawak. She is actively involved in consultation works in textile design and development in Malaysia. She has also successfully produced manuals for yarn design and authored various technical papers in areas ranging from textile design to the implementation of science and technology in batik-making and songket-weaving. Her research interests include textile printing, Shibori, Batik and Songket.
Dr. Nazlina Shaari:
Dr. Nazlina Shaari is a lecturer at Design Technology Program of Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, UNIMAS. She obtained her PhD in Kansei Artifact Design from Chiba University, Japan(2003), MA in Textile Design at Central St Martin, College of Art & Design London, United Kingdom (1997), and BA in Art & Design at Uitm (1993). Her interest encompasses Kanses engineering, Kansei science, the psychology of emotion on design, aesthetic material planning and clothing design, publishing her works in local and international journals. She won several design and innovation awards in Malaysia and abroad such as Product innovation and Techniques, Geneva, Switzerland, Special award from the Mayor of Taipei and the National Authority for Scientific Research Ministry of Education and Research Romania.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairul:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairul received his BA Art& Design from UiTM Malaysia in year 1987, MA Industrial Design (Engineering) UK in year 1990 and Doctor of Engineering (Design Management) Chiba University Japa. He is the vice chairman for Piala Seri Endon Alumni, a member for World Batik Council, was the Head of Design Technology Program and currently the Deputy Dean of Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, UNIMAS. Among the awards he received were Product Innovation and Techniques, Geneva Switzerland and winner for Batik Piala Seri Endon 2006 handicraft category. As a design consultant, he had published works in local and international journals with principal areas of research in design management, industrial design and future arts. His painting sculptures and experimental hybrid artworks were presented in local and international exhibitions.
Cecilia Tan S.S.:
Cecilia Tan is a lawyer who has deep passion towards art and loves expressing her thoughts and views through writing. She is deeply impressed with the beauty of batik art and loves to wear batik every time she has a dinner to attend.
Oh U Chen:
In addition to his public relations practice and a boutique restaurant, Rahsia, U-Chen is also a writer, an active environment conservationist and a lover of the arts, in particular archaic works of Asian origins.
A.P Sulaiman Abdul Ghani:
Associate Professor Sulaiman is a graduate in surface design and wearing from Rochester institution of Technology New York. A.P Sulaiman was a senior lecturer of Faculty of Arts and Design, University Technology MARA in Malaysia. He was appointed as CEO of Terengganu International Design Excellence (TIDE). He is a collector and researcher of traditional Asian textile.
1.4.2 Contributing writers from Singapore
Mohamed Kamal Bin Dollah:
Mohamed Kamal Bin Dollah is a multi-talented artist and art educator, with specialties ranging from traditional craft of Batik to contemporary street art and caricatures. With his Master of Arts degree in Contemporary Practice, he has been lecturing at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) since 1994, which is also where he obtained his Master, making him an approved Art Education Programme (AEP) provider by the National Arts Council of Singapore. He is also a member of World Batik Council, NCN-an International Organization for caricaturist and former president of the Association of Artist of Various Resources.
1.4.3 Contributing writers from the United Kingdom
Diane Gaffney:
Diane Gaffney and her husband run “Textile Techniques”, a business specializing in hand made textiles from around the world. (see: www. textiletechniques.co.uk).She has been collecting, buying, selling, teaching and learning about batik since 1983 when she made her first visit to Java. She is the Chair of the Batik Guild UK and has been a committee member since 1992. She was a speaker at KLIB in 2005 and 2007.
Lee Creswell:
Lee Creswell was born a Nyonya and was exposed to a world of batik. She first held a tjanting in the early 50s when she learnt the intricacies of drawing with wax. Her hand-painted batik silks have been exhibited internationally, including a solo exhibition in Washington DC. Lee has also contributed to journals, run courses and lectures at home and abroad. She was an invited speaker at the 2007 KLIB Convention and a guest speaker at the Golden Anniversary Reunion in Malacca. She is also the Assistant Secretary of World Batik Council, UK Representative of the American Silk Painters International (SPIN), and Area Representative for East Anglia (UK).
1.4.4 Contributing writers from the United States
Ru-Shyan Yen:
She is a 22 year’s old Taiwanese- American citizen and as a senior studio art major at Wheaten College in the United States. She is a batik lover and always hopes that the full potential of Batik technique will someday be recognized in the art world.
1.5 The birth of myBatik Magazine
Seeing herself doing well is not good enough – Emilia has a bigger vision in her heart. She wanted to see the whole batik industry doing well and make Malaysian batik known throughout the nation. The only best way she can think of to promote batik in Malaysia is through publication and out of her consistency and passion for batik, Emilia decided to publish a magazine called “myBatik” magazine which stands for “Malaysian Batik”. myBatik magazine is a quarterly magazine published by Emilia Tan and currently managed by TMS Art Marketing Sdn. Bhd. which covers batik-related news, issues and events in and outside Malaysia.
Every issue of myBatik introduces readers to the history of batik, the work of new and well-known artists and interviews with batik artists. Apart from providing coverage of batik artists working in both local and international settings, myBatik also features inside stories on targeted learning institutions offering batik courses, batik-related organizations, events and successful batik entrepreneurs. Each article in myBatik, in some way, reflects a desire to ensure the survival of batik locally and abroad.
With the creation of myBatik magazine, a link is created for all batik industry stakeholders to participate and contribute. myBatik magazine was created to connect batik entrepreneurs, designers, artists and those who have an interest or a stake and ensure the batik industry prospers. The inaugural issue was launched on 5 December 2007 by the current Minister of Transport of Malaysia, Y.B Datuk Ong Tee Keat.
The 7th issue of myBatik magazine for the period of August-September-October had featured the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Amat Berbahagia, Tun Mahathir bin Mohamed in its Cover Story Column, entitled: “Malaysian Batik – Forging ahead remains the only solution”.
1.6 Contents of myBatik magazine
The contents of myBatik are carefully arranged in such a way that readers can be benefit most from the magazine. To carry out the missions of myBatik, the contents of myBatik focus on four main areas namely art, community, fashion and lifestyle.
In the area of art, myBatik introduces local and international batik artists to the readers. Apart from this, under the art column, myBatik also keeps the readers updated on what is new in the batik field such as the latest batik paintings and designs, the latest batik techniques, the most up-to-date batik fashion shows that have taken place in Malaysia as well as abroad and other news from various batik artists or batik-related organizations.
In the area of community, myBatik features success stories of batik artists or founders of batik boutiques or art galleries in each issue. The artists featured are of value and their success stories will certainly bring a positive force and encouragement to other people from the same field. So far among the artists/founders who were featured are Fion Poon, Noor Arfa, Redhuan Othman, Aziz Awang and many other exceptional batik entrepreneurs/designers. As a further service to the community, myBatik also provides a list of upcoming batik events that will take place in Malaysia as well as abroad. Through this, myBatik has become a good channel for batik lovers or batik workers to easily keep themselves up-to-date with current batik events. Any batik-related competitions will also be reported in myBatik to keep the readers up-to-date with the latest competitions happening in the batik industry.
The third area that myBatik focuses on is fashion. In this area, myBatik aims to open the readers’ eyes by connecting batik with fashion to show that batik may not necessary be traditional and outdated, but fashionable and attractive. In each issue of the magazine, a fashion icon talk will be introduced whereby an artist and his or her batik-related designs will be introduced through models. Through this, the readers will get to know the latest fashion trends in batik and learn to appreciate the beauty of batik in the form of fashion.
The 4th area that myBatik focuses on is lifestyle. Generally, batik is well connected with human lifestyle. Batik can be made into souvenirs, table clothes, bed sheets, curtains, clothing, hand bags, shoes, key chains, scarves, painting and others. Looking at this aspect; myBatik is taking the effort to feature a “Question and Answer” column that features batik personalities answering questions posed by readers. Among the personalities myBatik had featured was Madam Zuraidah Abdul Razak, a well-known personality in the Malaysian handicraft industry. Madam Zuraidah Abdul Razak who is also known as Kak Zue, was the Ex-General Manager of Karyaneka Kuala Lumpur and has been involved in the Art & Craft industry for more than 30 years. In this session, readers can email or post their questions concerning batik to myBatik and these batik personalities will answer their questions. The publisher, Emilia Tan’s journal will also be included in this section and by sharing with readers her views, opinions and experiences related to batik, readers can further experience the richness of batik through different aspects of Emilia Tan’s life.
1.7 Quality writing – sample articles:
• Confusion to Strength
• Batik in Pekalongan – A Melting Pot of Culture
All the articles published in myBatik magazine are of quality and below are two articles published in myBatik 6th edition.
Sample article 1: Confusion to strength.
By Alexandra Low
“To anybody’s imagination, the very man who held Daimler Chrysler Malaysia at the helm for years contributed only to the automotive industry or knew only business, or a combination of both. That albeit being a reality, showed only a fragment of his life—one that burst with the colours of Malaysian art.
Dato’ Frank insisted that he was nobody in the fashion scene; his blue eyes revealed his broiling discomfort when he touched the fashion topic. It would not be at all comical had it not come from the lips of one of the first people who established the Malaysia International Fashion Awards (MIFA). He subsequently moved on to witness the growth of other influential fashion bodies like Malaysia Official Designers Association (MODA) and Stylo.
By right, if a man confessed that he had little life apart from his work, it could only mean one thing: he did have little life apart from work. He has three automotive-related companies in Malaysia namely FS Consulting Sdn Bhd, German Motors Sdn Bhd and Chemplex Continental Sdn Bhd. But, the very man who helped nurture the growth of Malaysian fashion arena was also the one of the leading sponsors of Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. His passion for beautiful things did not stop at pre-dawn antique shopping on the dark streets of Beijing. He also visited rural villages in Terengganu to see for himself the tedious production of Malaysian traditional dye-print art.
“I’m not a fashion icon,” he stressed again, “I’m not even fashionable to begin with.” Yet his lips curved upwards whenever he spoke of the growth of local fashion as well as performing arts industries. “I just like to create things and make things happen. I believe [that] development isn’t about majestic architectural, but more on education.” To him, education meant two types of platforms: one, for young people to express their thoughts and ideas; another, exposure—in short, a stage basking with spotlights and flashlights.
Dato’ Frank watched local star designers, namely Khoon Hooi and Melinda Looi, emerged from the platforms he helped erect. Those were only two success cases. To him, there were thousands more aspiring art students who would one day shape the fashion world and these young people deserved to be seen. “Malaysia is a vibrant country. Unlike Europe, here, you can do Indian fashion, Islamic fashion, Chinese fashion and so much more!” The possibilities were endless. That was the major reason why he got himself involved in the leading fashion events.
Although happy for Khoon Hooi and others who had made a name for themselves, he was disheartened that not many batik designers seized the opportunities to showcase their works in the annual event. “Batik is not something every country has.” All the more, batik has to be treasured and promoted. Despite efforts by the government, its mark in the international fashion scene is still minimal. Batik’s confused status explains its lack of success.
“Somebody must make a decision. Batik has to be either handicraft or fashion,” he said. The rationale, simple business strategy: “If [batik is] handicraft, it can afford to retain its current image. It can be hand drawn, individually produced and expensive… But if batik is to be more [towards] fashion, then it has to be mass produced, made younger and affordable. Fashion isn’t about couture only. It has to reach the masses.”
“To the younger generation, batik looks old… boring… something people wear to formal functions…,” he sighed. Batik had not permeated deep enough into the Malaysian society as a fashionable wear. To be fashionable, batik must rise to the frontline of everything trendy. To do that, it must first be competitive enough to survive fast-moving trends and ephemeral tastes. “That means, it must be produced efficiently,” he declared, “and that will make it affordable.”
“I can only speak from the business point of view,” he said again. And it was the lack of business views that limped the progress of the batik industry. Many batik designers were not business savvy. Many were poor farmers or fishermen—people who relied heavily on government’s subsidies and financial assistance—trying to pocket some extra income dyeing cloths. These people just did not have the capital to mass produce.
The development of batik into something synonymous to the national identity had been discussed for too many years, and yet the results were disappointing. He believed that the core issue was not inept marketing, nor was it horrid quality. “Really, someone… like the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage… should decide how they want the world to see batik. A repositioning would give batik another beginning on a new footing.”
Repositioning requires smart business thinking. “It’s worth thinking (on how to improve the batik industry). I will think about it and we can share more next time,” he promised. But, before that, batik must know whether it is handicraft or fashion.”
Sample article 2: Batik in Pekalongan – A Melting Pot of Culture
By Dudung Alie Syahbana
“The current batik in Pekalongan that we are seeing at this juncture greaty differs from batiks from other regions in Java, especially those from Solo, Yogyakarta and their surroundings. This is due to the influence by foreigners — their ideas have greatly contributed to the development of batik designs in the Pekalongan area, hence impacting the styles and colours used by batik practitioners in Pekalongan.
Pekalongan is a town between Jakarta, Cirebon, Semarang and Surabaya. This town is a trajectory and an open area for traders to stay while they are stopping by the towns in Java. New comers and traders can stay any time here during their trips. Developed by the governor general of Dendeles, the trajectory served to connect the traders stopping by Pekalongan to the cities in the north coast of Java.. The access made Pekalongan vibrant and rich in culture with diverse cultures like European, Chinese, Arabian, Pakistani and Indian. The Arab clan has been in Pekalongan for a very long time and came into the town as merchants or missionaries of Islam. As for the Chinese, most came in as merchants and assimilated into the culture through marriages to the natives of Pekalongan. Other traders or merchants included different tribes of Indonesia such as the Bugis tribe from Makasar and the Minang tribe from West Sumatera.. The Europeans came into Pekalongan when the Dutch ruled Indonesia while the Japanese came into Indonesia during the Japanese occupation from 1942 until 1945.
During the age of Dutch colonization, Pekalongan was area of capital city (Karesidenan) of Brebes region, Brebes city, Tegal Region, Tegal City, Pemalang Region, Batang Region and Pekalonga Region and Pekalongan city .
The Europeans in Pekalongan, mainly the Dutch, were educated people who were working at government offices. They had the capabilities to trade batik as handicraft and negotiate with batik producers in Pekalongan while their wives run batik workshops during their spare time. As a result, Dutch-inspired motifs and designs began to emerge in areas like Batavia, (Jakarta), Semarang and Surabaya. Among the famous motifs was the floral motif with names like Kristina/Tulip and Rose. There were also motifs inspired by European fairy tales such as Cinderella, the Red Hat, Game Cards etc.These motifs are very famous until now. One of the most successful European batikers was Mrs. Metzelaa.
Meanwhile the Chinese found batik to be a great business opportunity and means to earn good profits. The Peranakans (Chinese married with locals) became the most successful batik producers. In the beginning, they made batik with motifs from their own countries, China such as motifs placed on ceramic and jar ornaments and inspired by folklore of China: Hong birds, motif Phoenix, fishes, butterflies etc. The Peranakans also produced batik with floral motifs imitating those produced by the Europeans and successfully come up new motifs. The most famous Peranakan batikers were Gan Kai Leim, Oie Soo Tjoe, Oei Be Guan, Liem Ping Wie and The Tjien Sing.
The Arabic clan also produced batik at the back of their houses. Their motifs and designs were mostly geometric, indirectly inlfuenced by the Middle Eastern culture that excelled in science and technology. Some got their motifs from the Cinde sarong or Sembagi from India which was finally referred to as Kain Jelamprang.. They never made designs of animals due to religious prohibition. Not many Arabic batikers put their names on their products, although some did such as Zaki Basmelleh and H. Ehsan. Their products were mainly sold in Sumatra Island, Semarang and Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.
During the Japanese colonization in Indonesia, a motif called Batik Hokokai was created by Pekalongan natives and the Chinese clan. During that period, batik on cotton was very rare because imports of materials, such as cotton from Europe and India had drastically reduced. That made it harder for batik producers to produce batik but nevertheless many persisted and turned difficulties into opportunities by producing very fine and detailed batiks on other mediums such as silk during their spare time.”
1.8 Role of e-magazine (via www.ibatik.com.my) in promoting batik
As we are now in the era of the internet and the world has increasingly become wired, the team has also utilized the advantages of the internet by uploading soft copies of myBatik magazines onto www.mybatik.org.my website. Not only will this enable readers to read the magazine online, this has further become an alternative channel of information concerning batik and more readers, especially those who are from overseas or those who do not have myBatik magazine in hard copy, will be exposed to batik. This strategy is part of the team’s mission to make batik known and put it on the world map
2 Importance and impact of mybatik towards batik industries in Malaysia
Without a doubt, myBatik magazine has impacted the batik industry in Malaysia at different aspects such as the economy, job creation, art, culture, fashion and lifestyle, small scale and medium scale batik entrepreneur and the image of Malaysian batik at international level.
2.1 Impact on the economy
myBatik magazine aids the batik industry by providing opportunities for batik artists or batik entrepreneurs to advertise in the magazine and helping them in branding in order to establish their brands and identities in the field of batik. Through this and since the magazine is widely distributed in various locations not only locally but internationally, the advertisers are able to share the same publicity the magazine currently enjoys. Once the people from all walks of life start to acknowledge and recognise the batik brands of these advertisers, orders and sales are bound to come in. In this way, myBatik magazine has indirectly opened up these advertisers new markets either locally or internationally.
2.2 Impact on job creation
The birth of myBatik magazine has provided various job opportunities for a number of people from the team which consists of the editor, models, writers, photographers, graphic designers and a marketing manager. Apart from the magazine team itself, myBatik also increases job opportunities at newsstands and bookstores in Malaysia. When it comes to local and internationl distributions, the distribution company or logistic company is also given business opportunity, hence providing work for workers. That aside, myBatik has also contributed to the increasing demand of manpower in the batik industry because when batik in Malaysia is being promoted, demand for batik would increase thus leading to sales and as a result, batik businesses would need to expand their businesses to a higher level. This will literally give birth to job opportunities that will benefit the society from different aspects.
2.3 Impact on art, culture, fashion and lifestyle
As a magazine that focuses on art, culture, fashion and lifestyle, myBatik indeed plays a great role in promoting the art and culture of batik to Malaysians and to the world. Through the well-organised content of myBatik, the readers are able to learn and appreciate batik art and its culture in a better way. Other than this, the readers are able to follow up with the latest fashion trends in batik and learn how to apply batik in their daily lives. The art, culture, fashion and lifestyle forums in the magazine will certainly benefit readers by making them more cultured and appreciate batik in depth. The unknown part of batik will be also revealed in the magazine through articles. The magazine is particularly important and beneficial to art students who are still exploring the world of art especially batik. Even laymen who have doubts or questions concerning batik are welcome to post their questions to myBatik and get their questions answered by batik experts or scholars. In a nutshell, myBatik helps the community to learn, recognize and appreciate the beauty of batik apart from applying batik in their daily lives.
2.4 Impact on small scale batik entrepreneurs
The east coast of Malaysia has always been famous for batik be it hand made batik or block printed batik. Visits to batik manufacturing sites have always been famous activities by tourists from others states or countries. By advertising in myBatik, readers from all over the world would be able to know more about small scale batik entrepreneurs in the east coast and even other parts of Malaysia. For example, in the Letters to the Editor column, many readers have actually discovered that a good piece of batik is not just available in the east coast, but also in Kuala Lumpur, where there are plenty of batik art galleries or boutiques. By flipping through the directory listings in the magazine, the readers are able to locate batik art galleries or boutiques easily and able to compare the quality and prices among the art galleries and boutiques. Hence myBatik is able and willing to include the small scale batik entrepreneurs by introducing them in the magazine and creating an awareness of their existence to the greater public.
2.5 Impact on medium scale batik entrepreneurs
Other than small scale batik entrepreneurs, myBatik also promotes heavily medium scale batik entrepreneurs. A medium scale batik entrepreneur is typically a batik boutique that has a few branches, for example Noor Arfa. myBatik had featured the success story of Noor Arfa to enable readers to know the history and company profile of Noor Arfa and at the same time encourage those who want to follow the footsteps of Noor Arfa. The success story column would not only bring up the name of the company to a greater height, it also acts as an inspiration to those who have just started out in batik and encourage them to continue working hard so they would also one day become a success story.
2.6 Impact on batik manufacturers & suppliers
Batik manufacturers have always been seeking opportunities to publicize the beauty and the quality of their Batik. With myBatik magazine being Malaysia’s premier Batik magazine, it is able to provide them with such publicity. Other than that, these Batik manufacturers can utilize myBatik as a good platform to connect with batik artists, small scale and medium scale entrepreneurs, batik art galleries, batik boutiques and other batik-related companies. Hence myBatik is a focal point for batik manufacturers to easily expand their business network and achieve greater heights in their production of batik.
2.7 Impact on the image of Malaysian Batik at international level
As a media, myBatik magazine plays an undeniable vital role in promoting the batik of Malaysia to the world at large. Visitors who visit Malaysia can easily purchase a copy of myBatik at leading bookstores throughout Malaysia and learn more about and appreciate Malaysian batik. The magazine basically provides concise and up-to-date information on the batik industry in Malaysia in just one book that can be easily read by tourists while they are on their holidays in Malaysia.. The colour quality of the magazine has always received credits from the readers and it is certainly a collectable item which can be put in any reader’s book shelf. By referring to the magazine, tourists and visitors can easily choose the art galleries or boutique outlets they want to visit beforehand. myBatik has always made it a point to make the information in the magazine easily accessible to the public either in the form of hard copy or e-magazine published on www.mybatik.org.my. In this way, people from every corner of the world can easily access the website and download the magazine wherever they are and orders for batik products can be made through the internet as well. Hence myBatik is able to promote Malaysian batik at an international level. Apart from this, myBatik also features articles concerning batik artists from others countries such as Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA. The diversity of the contents that cover even international news, plays a definite role in bringing up the image of batik to an international level.
Appendix A: Bio-data of Emilia Tan
A.1 Who is Emilia Tan?
Emilia Tan’s Chinese name is Tan Mei Shia (T.M.S). She loves her name and named her first and only art gallery after her own name as TMS Art Gallery. She is a young talented lady who is also the Managing Director of TMS Art Marketing Sdn. Bhd. which manages TMS Art Centre and publishes myBatik magazine. Her world cannot be separated with colours because she lives in the world of art where colour is the air that she breathes.
Emilia’s obsession with art emerged after the age of six. She was doing very well in watercolour painting for more than 10 years during her primary school and high school years and naturally decided to enter the world of art by enrolling in a textile and fashion design course at the Malaysian Institute of Art. When she was first introduced to batik, she developed a strong interest in this art of rich and multi-layered surfaces immediately.
She decided to travel around Asia in a journey of exploration to find her way in life after graduating from college. She spent two years finding her way, studying about other countries’ cultures and humanism. She became very interested in Australian Aboriginal art during her first visit to Australia.. After that she became determined to study more about Aboriginal art when she was staying in Melbourne, Australia. In vivid colors and organic abstractions of form, Emilia brings together the traditional arts of Malaysian batik and Australian aboriginal design, as well as the contemporary arts of impressionism and abstract painting.
In a complex process of trial and error, Emilia layers colour upon colour, material upon material, using wax and dyes to create luminous images of great depth and mystery. The drips and pools of colour in Emilia’s dream-like imagery are the mark of an unpredictable medium; yet she maintains a superb balance of design, fluidity of movement and expressiveness of form. With spontaneity of emotion, the shapes in Emilia’s works are in continual motion, sweeping upward in vigorous ascent, or falling brightly in delicate descent.
Over the years, Emilia has managed to come up with a unique style that combines Australian Aboriginal art and traditional Malaysian batik. Her contemporary paintings had received very positive response and she was featured by numerous media locally and internationally.
Appendix B: Press Clippings About Emilia Tan’s Batik Art
¬ 2007-11-01 Dream Career. : Fren Magazine
¬ 2007-10-24 Hanging on to Traditional Arts. : The Star Newspaper
¬ 2007-09-25 TMS ART Batik Business Development Talk : Radio 24
¬ 2007-09-15 TMS ART Batik Workshop Feature. : TV 8
¬ 2007-01-06 Batik Brings Emilia Throughout the World. : Utusan Malay Newspaper
¬ 2007-01-04 Inovasi Batik Tingkat ProduktivitI Malaysia (Innovation Batik Increases Productivity of Malaysia) : TV Channel RTM 1
¬ 2006-12-16 Emilia Elevates Batik To Greater Heights. : Berita Harian Newspaper
¬ 2006-12-01 Waxing & Waning Vision : KL Magazine
¬ 2006-09-01 Royal Selangor Pewter + Emilia’s Batik. : Jelita Magazine
¬ 2006-08-02 Emilia’s Contemporary Painting. : Kosmo
¬ 2006-07-20 Aussie Aboriginal art meets batik. :The Star
¬ 2006-06-26 Emilia Tan Mei Shia – Making Up Her Own Rules.: COSMIC Magazine
¬ 2006-05-01 New Age Design – Batik Mosaic and Process. : 光明日報
¬ 14) 2006-03-01 A 21st century artist envolving ancient techniques. : The Expat Magazine March 2006
¬ 2006-05-02 ACCESS Garden International School Magazine Garden International School
¬ 2005-11-18 What’s Next Batik Inspirations Featuring Top Batik Designers
¬ 2005-07-01 TMS Art Gallery : Her world magzine
¬ 2005-06-16 立意成為企業藝術家 : 光明日報
¬ 2005-06-12 Conservative no more : Sun Daily
¬ 2005-03-21 Emilia Pours Her Heart Into Art : Metro Harian
¬ 2005-03-20 Globe-trotting For Ideas To Create Batik : Kosmo
¬ 2005-03-19 陳美霞跨界峇迪
3 Organisation Structure and Chart
3.1 TMS Art Marketing Sdn. Bhd.
TMS Art Marketing Sdn. Bhd. is a private company incorporated under Companies Act 1965. Emilia Tan is the Managing Director of this company leading her team to manage TMS Art Centre, TMS Art Gallery and myBatik. TMS Art Marketing Sdn. Bhd.’s objective is to get batik lovers together, and introduce TMS Art Centre as a one-stop batik solution.
3.2 TMS Art Centre
TMS Art Centre is a one-stop batik centre. It not only engages in advertisements, art, craft & music workshops, promotion and marketing, but also provide space for any type of workshops.
With ample car park spaces and facing the KLCC, GLENEAGLES HOSPITAL JALAN AMPANG, TMS Art Centre is strategically located at 333, Persiaran Ritchie off Jalan Ritchie, 55000 K.L.. Besides TMS Art Centre, BATIK HOUSE, is a BATIK GALLERY, BATIK HOME STAY, Creative Learning Centre, Batik Production house, Batik Warehouse & a Publishing House. In this way, readers of myBatik magazine not only can read about batik artists / designers featured in the magazine, they can also view the latest art exhibitions in BATIK HOUSE.
For batik manufacturers, BATIK HOUSE provides an exhibition space, to launch their products, designs or other creative creations. Not only can they launch their latest products, they can also trademark their logo as their identity. Emilia Tan is concerned about her fellow batik artists or industries’ trade marks being stolen and she too gives consultations on the importance of trade marks and how to protect them.
As a Creative Learning Centre, BATIK HOUSE also provides a range of creative classes and workshops to expose those who are interested in art to fibre art, painting, drawing, jewellery making, calligraphy, and many more.
Besides the workshop & gallery, the most important thing BATIK HOUSE has is its research library, which is completed with all kinds of fine art books and magazines. BATIK HOUSE will be an ideal place for students and art lovers to drop by for reading pleasure and networking purposes.
3.3 TMS Art Gallery
TMS Art Gallery showcases all kinds of batik paintings from batik artists around the world throughout the year for the public at large especially for art lovers. Usually there will be two exhibitions in a month. TMS Art Gallery is the only fine art gallery that exhibits Batik paintings, from the works of pioneer batik artists to young contemporary batik artists.
4 Letters of Support
1) Puan Fatimah Chik, Lecturer at Malaysia Institute of Art (MIA) – 2009
“I collaborated with Emilia in a number of projects like the “Fatimah Chik & Emilia Tan” batik art exhibition held at the SGM Culture Centre in Bukit Bintang, and of course, her very own Batik magazine – myBatik magazine.
Emilia is a student and a friend of mine. Being her teacher for a number of years in the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA), I had the pleasure and honour to see her hone the gifts and talents in Batik.. Further, I had the delight to see her mature in character and personality.
I would like to salute her with for all the hard work and efforts that she has put into myBatik magazine. Emilia and her team’s passion and earnest desire to spread and expand the Batik industry certainly must be commended.
As batik has been the intrigue of many not only locally but also internationally, with Emilia and her team’s knowledge, finesse and poise, the magazine has the potential to be an important resource and a major contributor to batik industries locally and internationally.
Further, as batik is one of the country’s most distinctive symbols, I verily believe that, with Emilia and her team’s professionalism and dedication, they are capable of turning this national asset into a fashion label recognized and admired by people all around the world.
Malaysia boleh!
2) Dr. Mohamed Najib Ahmad Dawa, General Director of National Art Gallery, 2009
With my experience in the Batik line, I would say that I am hugely impressed by the professional quality of the myBatik magazine produced by Emilia and her team.
Being the first of its kind, the magazine is comprehensive, simple and full of substance. As the magazine is filled with vibrant colours, rich with information and can be easily understood, I am certain that the magazine will appeal to anyone and everyone – be it an expert in the field or just a beginner who has an interest in Batik.
Further, while the magazine is not only an ideal instrument to educate the younger generation on Batik’s beauty and tradition, it is a great method to expose Batik internationally. After all, Batik is one of the country’s most recognizable symbols.
With myBatik showing incredible promise, I fervently believe that, as long as the team remains creative and committed, I am confident that the myBatik magazine can not only further propel Batik into the international fashion scene; but can further enhance the country’s image.
Thus, it’s an honour and privilege to be a part of myBatik magazine and hereby I am proud to extend my fullest support to the team.
Thank you.
3) Wan Nazma , Advocates & Solicitors @ Anad & Noraini 2009
“ Being a person who doesn’t know much about batiks, I’m glad that myBatik magazine somehow found its way into my hands! The magazine has certainly helped me develop a better understanding of batiks. I am pleasantly surprised that the publication is more than just a colourful magazine. Within its pages, myBatik contains information, knowledge, insight and so much more. All the articles are written in a manner that is easily comprehensible and understandable by beginners like me.
I would like to extend my greatest thanks and appreciation to everyone in myBatik team for all their hard work in producing such an excellent magazine. Keep it going! I am sure with further planning and perseverance, the magazine can go very, very far.
From Wan Nazma, Advocates & Solicitors”
4) Colin Yong, Jadi Batek Gallery Sdn. Bhd. 2008
“As a batik boutique in Malaysia, Jadi Batek Gallery Sdn. Bhd. is constantly seeking opportunities to publicize the beauty and the quality of our Batik. With myBatik magazine being the country’s premier Batik magazine, we are pleased to mention that Emilia Tan and her professional team at the myBatik magazine are able to provide us with such publicity.
To date, seven issues of the magazine have been published, and we find that the magazines have been very attractive. These magazines cover everything concerning Batik extensively. In addition, with all the exciting and fresh information being neatly packaged and meticulously organized, it’s certainly a magazine which is suitable for beginners keen to know more about the Batik and also seasoned experts on the subject.
The magazine is widely distributed in various locations not only locally but internationally. Hence, Jadi Batek Gallery Sdn. Bhd. is able to share the same publicity the magazine currently enjoys.
Finally, I applaud every endeavor that has been put into the magazine. As the professional partnership between the myBatik team and Jadi Batek Gallery Sdn. Bhd. has been extremely enjoyable, we therefore look forward to collaborate with myBatik magazine whenever is possible.”
5) Kak Zu, Director of karyaneka Malaysia ,2008
“I am thrilled to provide my support and endorsement to the myBatik magazine. I am hugely impressed by Emilia and her team’s professionalism, passion and persistence in ensuring that the magazine becomes the country’s premier Batik magazine. So far, all the magazines that have been published contain, amongst others, interviews with prominent and influential members of the public, updates on the latest developments in the Batik industry and in-depth features. myBatik magazine has been my personal collection all this while. It is not just a magazine that you can throw away after reading it. It has become a collectable magazine that has been put in my shelf for my reference on and off.
Further, the magazine is widely distributed in various locations including public offices, foreign embassies, major shopping malls and batik centers throughout Malaysia as well as in places frequented by tourists in major capitals around the world like Sydney, London, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles and Singapore. It has definitely promoted Malaysian batik to an international level.
In conclusion, with Emilia’s vision, hard work and dynamic leadership, together with the expertise of her team, I strongly believe myBatik magazine will continue to be a significant contributor not only to the future of the batik industry but also to the fashion industry as a whole. Therefore, myBatik magazine always has my strongest support.
Thank you,