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DUMPLING BATIK

The subject matter is dumplings, which is a worldwide known Chinese cuisine. Dumplings are not just a mere delicious snack. They carry a rich significance that dates to Ancient China, 1,800 years ago. Also known as Jiaozi, these Chinese dumplings commemorate an interesting incident of the past and have now become a part of many lives. Dumpling was chosen to be the subject matter is because of the cohesiveness in its shape, the commonness it is all around the world, and the emphasize on our Chinese culture. As the traditional batik is undoubtedly has its own specific details and characteristics to recognise their motives, this approach was rather innovative and experimenting with new, more modernised taste of pattern on clothes.

The pattern derives from the shape of dumplings, arranged diagonally in a linear line. The purpose of it is because it is believed when dumplings arranged in a circular manner, from an end to an end, it will supposed to mean one's life will go round in circles, never going anywhere. When one makes dumpling, the number of pleats needs to be emphasized. If you make the junction too flat, it is thought to purport poverty. The texture of the entree is bumpy and uneven because of the choppy fillings but overall shaped like a semicircle from the top. Hence why the pattern is simplified as a semicircle, the pleats are cut off into straight line. The triangles represent the pleats, attached from only the inside of the semicircles.

To make the pattern, the simplified geometry, traced in a square paper is mirrored. Once mirrored, the organisation and ordering principal is identified. The semicircle geometry in a diagonal manner illustrates a quarter of a circumscription. As only four-fold mirrored produced, already creates a mirage of an oval. The pattern portrays a radial organisation with repetitive ordering principal. The first trace being mirrored repeatedly to form a full on 36 boxes of the square.

As for the selection of colours, we choose one art movement and pick only 3 colours from it. Surrealism art, that mostly inspired by Salvador Dali was chosen. His arts mostly used soft and pastel-like range of colours. Light blue rose red and stone grey being the finalized colours. The red used on the triangles to press on the element, as the pleats being very distinct visual element to identify dumplings. Blue to push on the lightness of the piece and grey being a middle tone to pull together the two colours.

As the pattern come together, it creates a harmonious mesh of both cultures. Peculiarly, the mirrored of simplified geometries unifies with selected colours. The new preferred batik pattern now centres on the simplicity of a pattern and focuses more on the placement and the quality of the fabric. The pattern I believe, would attract more people that has a certain taste of simplicity and clean aesthetic.