The house at the corner of a quiet residential area in West Cilandak, South Jakarta, is not imposing. Its gray steel gates are half-obscured by the lush hedgerows surrounding the house. There is no sign or marker to indicate the gallery inside. Yet its loyal patrons, who include the city’s socialites and expatriates, recognize Srihana Batik Tulis (Srihana Handmade Batik) as one of the capital’s most prestigious boutiques.
While the gallery-cum-boutique specializes in showcasing masterpieces by Indonesia’s batik maestros, it also stocks kebaya (traditional blouses), jewelry and even sandals.
“Srihana was definitely a pioneer,” said Sudarmadji Damais, the nephew of the late Anneke Idham, who co-founded the business in 1973.
“There weren’t any boutiques featuring batik or Indonesian traditional clothing at that time. They thought, ‘Who’d buy it?’ But my aunt, with her idealism and passion for Indonesia’s cultural heritage, decided to go for it.”
Displayed against the gallery’s whitewashed wall is a beautiful batik piece featuring two pink roosters fighting on black soil scattered with roses.
“It’s ‘Sawunggaling,’ a masterpiece by Indonesian batik maestro Go Tik Swan,” said Neneng Iskandar, the co-founder and manager of Srihana.
Go’s masterpieces have been a huge influence on Srihana ever since the business first opened its doors.
The maestro’s talent also caught the eye of President Sukarno, who in 1955 asked Go to create “batik Indonesia.”
“At the time, batik was not as varied as it is today,” Neneng said.
“Its patterns were clearly segregated.
There were patterns that were uniquely Yogyakarta’s, Solo’s and Pesisir’s. But Sukarno, being a true nationalist, wanted to unite all these patterns.”
Deeply moved by the president’s request, Go combined the more demure batik patterns of Solo and Yogyakarta with the bold patterns and vibrant colors of Pesisir.
The maestro’s “batik Indonesia” was then presented to the president.
His creations were well-received and soon became very popular among the country’s elite and foreign dignitaries.
Drawing inspiration from Go’s work, Srihana’s debut fashion show took place in 1974, at the 23rd annual conference of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Jakarta.
And keeping with tradition, Srihana still features batik by Indonesia’s greats.
Go’s exquisite batik hangs next to works by renowned Madurese artisan Maimunah and lurik (Javanese traditional handwoven cloth with striped patterns) by Yogyakarta’s maestro, Dibyo Sumarto.
“These are all handmade exclusively for us,” Neneng said.
In collaboration with Indonesian Fashion Designer Association (Appmi) and a number of women’s organizations, such as the Family Welfare and Empowerment Program, Srihana also organized lectures on batik and traditional Indonesian clothing.
In addition, Srihana still organizes fashion shows at social events and clubs.
“We aim to boost national pride among Indonesia’s younger generation by introducing them to our traditional outfits,” Neneng said.
To modernize her designs, Neneng has recently decided to become more creative with lurik — traditional daily wear for Javanese commoners — by embellishing the striped cloth with floral embroidery.
As seen on a piece of black and gray lurik, her white orchid embroideries have turned cloth for commoners into luxury designs. These beautiful pieces are sold for Rp 450,000 ($50).
But, Srihana is not all about business for Neneng. In 2007, she wrote a coffee table book titled “ ‘Batik Indonesia’ Dan Sang Empu Go Tik Swan Panembahan Hardjonagoro,” based on her 36 years of friendship with the batik maestro.
The book was launched in Solo in 2009, five months after Go’s death in November 2008.
“I’ll forever remember him as someone who taught me a lot about batik and Javanese life philosophy,” Neneng said.
Today, she imparts the knowledge that she has gained from Go to her own students.
She and three instructors teach the intricate art to batik enthusiasts in the gallery’s backyard work area on Mondays and Saturdays.
“We might not be doing much,” Neneng said. “But we’re doing all that we can to deliver more knowledge and experience to perpetuate Indonesia’s traditional heritage.”
Srihana Batik Tulis
Jl. KH Muhasyim Buntu
No. 12 Tarogong, Cilandak Barat South Jakarta
Tel. 021 754 6373
Open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Make an appointment prior to visiting.
Batik prices start at Rp 600,000
Batik-making classes cost Rp 100,000 per session
“Srihana was definitely a pioneer,” said Sudarmadji Damais, the nephew of the late Anneke Idham, who co-founded the business in 1973.
“There weren’t any boutiques featuring batik or Indonesian traditional clothing at that time. They thought, ‘Who’d buy it?’ But my aunt, with her idealism and passion for Indonesia’s cultural heritage, decided to go for it.”
Displayed against the gallery’s whitewashed wall is a beautiful batik piece featuring two pink roosters fighting on black soil scattered with roses.
“It’s ‘Sawunggaling,’ a masterpiece by Indonesian batik maestro Go Tik Swan,” said Neneng Iskandar, the co-founder and manager of Srihana.
Go’s masterpieces have been a huge influence on Srihana ever since the business first opened its doors.
The maestro’s talent also caught the eye of President Sukarno, who in 1955 asked Go to create “batik Indonesia.”
“At the time, batik was not as varied as it is today,” Neneng said.
“Its patterns were clearly segregated.
There were patterns that were uniquely Yogyakarta’s, Solo’s and Pesisir’s. But Sukarno, being a true nationalist, wanted to unite all these patterns.”
Deeply moved by the president’s request, Go combined the more demure batik patterns of Solo and Yogyakarta with the bold patterns and vibrant colors of Pesisir.
The maestro’s “batik Indonesia” was then presented to the president.
His creations were well-received and soon became very popular among the country’s elite and foreign dignitaries.
Drawing inspiration from Go’s work, Srihana’s debut fashion show took place in 1974, at the 23rd annual conference of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Jakarta.
And keeping with tradition, Srihana still features batik by Indonesia’s greats.
Go’s exquisite batik hangs next to works by renowned Madurese artisan Maimunah and lurik (Javanese traditional handwoven cloth with striped patterns) by Yogyakarta’s maestro, Dibyo Sumarto.
“These are all handmade exclusively for us,” Neneng said.
In collaboration with Indonesian Fashion Designer Association (Appmi) and a number of women’s organizations, such as the Family Welfare and Empowerment Program, Srihana also organized lectures on batik and traditional Indonesian clothing.
In addition, Srihana still organizes fashion shows at social events and clubs.
“We aim to boost national pride among Indonesia’s younger generation by introducing them to our traditional outfits,” Neneng said.
To modernize her designs, Neneng has recently decided to become more creative with lurik — traditional daily wear for Javanese commoners — by embellishing the striped cloth with floral embroidery.
As seen on a piece of black and gray lurik, her white orchid embroideries have turned cloth for commoners into luxury designs. These beautiful pieces are sold for Rp 450,000 ($50).
But, Srihana is not all about business for Neneng. In 2007, she wrote a coffee table book titled “ ‘Batik Indonesia’ Dan Sang Empu Go Tik Swan Panembahan Hardjonagoro,” based on her 36 years of friendship with the batik maestro.
The book was launched in Solo in 2009, five months after Go’s death in November 2008.
“I’ll forever remember him as someone who taught me a lot about batik and Javanese life philosophy,” Neneng said.
Today, she imparts the knowledge that she has gained from Go to her own students.
She and three instructors teach the intricate art to batik enthusiasts in the gallery’s backyard work area on Mondays and Saturdays.
“We might not be doing much,” Neneng said. “But we’re doing all that we can to deliver more knowledge and experience to perpetuate Indonesia’s traditional heritage.”
Srihana Batik Tulis
Jl. KH Muhasyim Buntu
No. 12 Tarogong, Cilandak Barat South Jakarta
Tel. 021 754 6373
Open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Make an appointment prior to visiting.
Batik prices start at Rp 600,000
Batik-making classes cost Rp 100,000 per session
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