About Beeseven Batik

Telling stories of Indonesia's handwaxed batiks

"Memayu Hayuning Bawana." ~ a Javanese proverb that means to beautify the universe that has been beautiful.

I started Beeseven Batik on 28 June 2017 with a wish to unearth the beautiful back story of every traditional handwaxed batik in our collection. From the classic court motifs to the exuberant motifs from the Indonesian coastal cities, traditionally processed handwaxed batiks are an endless wonder. The beauty lies not only in the dances of colors, but also in the metaphoric and symbolic meanings of the objects drawn. Every piece of the batik curated at Beeseven Batik tells a story.

Starting from 2019, I have also created our own contemporary batik motifs, mostly taking pieces of the old Javanese lifestyle as themes. Feeling nostalgic is one of the reasons, but more than that, I was so amazed to find how these mundane activities that our great grandparents, grandparents and parents did in good ol' days bore an amazing spiritual significance that I just had to put them on batik! 'Roro Mendut', 'Pétan' and 'Biyung' are some of our original designs.

The 2020 pandemic hit me hard as it did to many people. However, it was not all negative. In fact, it was a turning point for me as an individual and businesswoman-wannabe. I decided that Beeseven Batik should contribute actively to Mother Earth by taking natural dyes at the center of our original work.

I hope you love our batik pieces and their stories!

Love,

Agnes (@agnesdeus)

Our Original Designs

Unique batik designs to collect!

We don't just curate batik, we also design one-of-a-kind natural-dyed, handwaxed batik of our own!

Check out our unique designs to see if you'd love them as much as we do. Yes, some of them are sold out, but they can be remade. Pre-orders normally take 40-50 days to complete due to manual processes. It's long, but it's worth the wait!

SUPERMAN

'SUPARMAN' - original design by @agnesdeus in collaboration with @shaventoday for @beeseven_batik. Drawing, waxing, coloring 100% by hand. Natural-dyed.

One of my lovely customers gave me an idea to create batik using Superman as the main object. It was quite hilarious but I took the chance with the help of my DC Comics and Marvel fan brother! My design style is always feminine so I thought he's perfect for the project. I just added the clouds and wings to go with Superman, or 'Suparman' as we call it (a typical old-school Javanese name for males!) There are two options for the background: the contemplative Truntum (small star-shaped ornaments) and the masculine Parang, both classical Javanese court patterns.

Batik Tulis SUPERMAN

Dimension: approx. 250 x 105 cms
Fabric: cotton
Process: 100% by hand
Coloring: natural dyes

ABIMANYU

'ABIMANYU' - Drawing, waxing, coloring 100% by hand. Natural-dyed.

One of Mahabharata shadow puppet characters, Abimanyu may not be as well known as his father, Arjuna, but he inherits his military prowess while he is also renowned for his spiritual depth. Truntum motifs on the background are reflection of this later trait.

Abimanyu is one of the prominent warriors in the battle against the Kurawas to restore balance and harmony for the people of the Astina kingdom. He fights fearlessly - depicted being adorned with arrows on his back on this piece of batik - and dies as a hero in the Kurukhsetra battlefield. His son, Parikesit, later on becomes
king of Astina.

Batik Tulis TRUNTUM ABIMANYU

Dimension: approx. 250 x 105 cms
Fabric: cotton
Process: 100% by hand
Coloring: natural dyes

PÉTAN

'PÉTAN' - original design by @agnesdeus for @beeseven_batik. Drawing, waxing, coloring 100% by hand. Natural-dyed.

The Javanese word 'pétan' means tradional and manual way to terminate head lice. Yes, you read it right! Back in the old days, long before the use pf chemicals for the purpose became common, humble hands of women did the job effectively! This batik motif was created to evoke the beautiful memory of this moment. Mundane as it was, it was also close to the heart of every child! A scene where a motherly figure and a child whose head needs a special treatment used to be a common sight in the afternoon. Everyone who's ever experienced it (having lice plucked off of their heads) remembers that sensational feeling!

Batik Tulis PÉTAN - mahoni

Dimension: approx. 250 x 105 cms
Fabric: cotton
Process: 100% by hand
Coloring: natural dyes

RORO MENDUT

'RORO MENDUT' - original design by @agnesdeus for @beeseven_batik. Drawing, waxing, coloring 100% by hand. Natural-dyed.

Taking the inspiration from one of the legendary Javanese folklores, the motif of Roro Mendut - pictured here smoking - depicts the controversial heroine as a symbol of feminine power. If beauty is a curse, especially in the face of masculine authority of the era where women were treated as men's belongings, she was able to steal heaven with that curse and at the end determine her own fate.

Batik Tulis RORO MENDUT

Dimension: approx. 250 x 105 cms
Fabric: cotton
Process: 100% by hand
Coloring: natural dyes

BIYUNG

BIYUNG' - original design by @agnesdeus for @beeseven_batik. Drawing, waxing, coloring 100% by hand. Natural-dyed.

There are several Javanese words that mean mother and 'biyung' (pronounced bee-yoong) is just one of them. 'Biyung' depicts a mother in a traditional Javanese outfit (kebaya and sarong) carrying her sleepy toddler with a piece of batik cloth as carrier. Back in the old days, this bonding moment was a typical scenery. The mother would hum some traditional nursery rhymes and her tot would fall asleep peacefully, breathing in rhyme with mother's heart beats.

'Biyung' also represents home everyone in their adult life always longs for.

Around the mother and child are some traditional bamboo toys for the tod to play with when he's awake.

Batik Tulis BIYUNG.
Dimension: approx. 250 x 105 cms
Fabric: primissima cotton
Process: 100% by hand
Coloring: natural dyes

OH HEY, FOR BEST VIEWING, YOU'LL NEED TO TURN YOUR PHONE