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SISTERS: IBU SULAMI 2012 Cyanotype with batik tulis, natural dyes on cotton 189.2 x 78.2 cm
The ladies are sisters whose family has been in the batik trade for generations. Ibu Sulami is the eldest of the three. They work at Batik Wahyu Putro, a workshop owned by Ibu Suminah and her husband Pak Sukardi. Of the nine siblings in their family, they are the only three still involved in batik making. Ibu Suminah used to work at a batik shop in Solo, where she met Pak Sukardi. After their marriage, the couple set up their own batik workshop, one of few which still uses natural dye for the entire colouring process. The botanical motifs in these three pieces are Pak Sukardi’s designs.
