Book Review: “Isen-Isen dalam Batik Tati Suroyo”

UPH Faculty of Design and Planning – Fakultas Desain dan Teknik Perencanaan (FDTP) on Tuesday, September 18, 2022, held a book review for “Isen-Isen dalam Batik Tati Suroyo” at The Johannes Oentoro Library, 4th floor, UPH Campus, Karawaci. The seminar featured speakers Irawati Suroyo Bambang, the author, Yongki Safanayong, design expert and senior lecturer for UPH Visual Communication Design, Lala Palupi Santyaputri, UPH Visual Communication Design lecturer, and moderator Prof. Manlian Ronald Simanjuntak, Dean of UPH FDTP.

In his speech, the author, which is the daughter of Tati Suroyo, explained that batik was part of worldwide-known Indonesia’s cultural heritage. The history of batik has been begun since hundreds years ago and still remained as it could adapt with the new situation and absorb new concept. This was exactly what Tati Suroyo did with batik. Tati filled the empty spaces with her batik design as the decorative background or isen-isen. Some of the varieties of Tati Suroyo’s isen-isen were Cecek, Galaran lurus, Manggisan, Omah gareng, Beras mawur, Gribigan, Grandilan, segi empat, Banji and Galaran Brintik.

In terms of coloring, Tati Suroyo was one of the batik makers who first used the chemical dye which made her batik color looked bright and lasted long. She also added wax that worked on both sides of the garment (both rengrengan and terusan) with perfectly identical pattern.

This book told the story of the batik maestro’s life who inspired the young designers. Yongky Safanayong mentioned, “Tati Suroyo’s batik has given great influence on the evolution of batik and the meaning of it. The designer’s character reflects through her artworks which also reflects on her perspective of nature, appreciation of tradition, thoughtful and caring figure, positive thinking, and intelectual competence.” This was important for young designers according to Yongky. He also praised Tati Suroyo’s batik that embodied the concepts of art and design in harmony, unity, balance, repetition, direction, melody, and accent together with complexion, pattern, and background of dots, lines, areas, shapes, colors, tones, and textures.

Irawati Suroyo Basuki and Yongky Savanayong

Yongky emphasized the importance of spirituality, the relationship with the Creator, in producing artworks. “This will distinguish a designer’s artworks,” he said. “Other important things are patience and perseverance. Design is not just about pattern and texture, but also what’s underneath the artwork,” he added. Yongky also reminded that although a good quality batik was getting rarer, because of market demands and consumer’s behavior, only a good quality batik that would stand out and remain eternal. It was always up to us and the next generation to preserve batik as the Indonesia’s heritage. (rh)

UPH Media Relations