The Batik handmade wall art is a special treasure to have and hold dear.

The word ‘Batik’ originates in Indonesia and basically refers to a specific way in which textiles can be dyed. Batik dyeing uses wax or a flour and water paste to create patterns by stopping the dye from penetrating some areas of the material.

It is possible to create a number of effects by stripping the wax or paste off after the material has been dyed once and the dying it again in another color so that some areas appear much darker than others. It is a famous form of textile design in both Indonesia and Africa.

African Village Batiks are believed to date back over one millennium and are thought to have originally been developed in Egypt. The technique in Africa is taught by parent to child and some of the best handicrafts and tribal souvenirs have been created using the batik design. Africa boasts some of the best batik textiles in the world and is a very expressive way of producing art.

There have been developments in the actual batik procedure, but the traditional tribal methods are still used by many African families and it is this traditional approach which produces the best results and guarantees completely unique designs, since each is always a handmade wall art - batik. However, with the new developments come the opportunities to create ever more interesting designs. Every one which is created is unique in its own way. Nothing in batik is mass-produced and a great deal of time and effort goes into every pattern.

The actual batik procedure involves applying melted wax (usually a mixture of bees wax and paraffin wax) or flour and water onto fabric to create a pattern. Once the wax has been applied, the cloth is dipped in dye and then allowed to dry. The use of paraffin wax allows cracking to appear which is a common feature of the batik design.

Once the cloth is dyed, these steps are repeated until the desired effect is achieved. Once it has been dyed for the final time, the fabric is hung up to dry before being dipped in a solvent which removes the wax. It can also be ironed between two sheets of paper which has the same effect.

If you have ever been to Africa, you will have seen this design on many different types of fabric. It can be used on clothes, artwork, wall hangings and rugs; in fact the uses for the textiles are endless. The designs are unique to Africa and often include designs of African tribal people in this African Westlands Market Batik scene or animals.

They are traditionally made by the tribal people of Africa and are sold all over the world. The history surrounding the art form is very long and detailed and is passed down through the generations which have ensured its survival.