Family History Informs Batik Art

Haris Rashid, a 34-year-old fine artist from the Klang Valley in Malaysia, rediscovered his family’s connection to batik during the 2020 pandemic. He learned the craft from his mother, a former art teacher with a textile design background, and began sharing the process online. This led Haris to explore his maternal heritage, revealing roots tracing back to Ahmedabad, India.

His great-grandfather, originally from Pakistan, migrated to Kelantan and opened a fabric store. There, his granduncle studied batik in Indonesia and introduced the technique to Malaysia, which at the time favored block printing. Though the family business eventually closed in the 1980s, surviving blocks and fabrics offered Haris a tangible link to the past.

Haris blends this history with contemporary themes in his work, often accepting commissions alongside other artistic projects. He feels his art explores themes of cultural blending and belonging, recognizing Malaysian culture as a product of many origins. The artist plans to continue making art that connects him to his history.