Batik Rifa'iyah: Be Immersed

Experience exquisitely detailed hand-made batik tulis textiles from the north coast of Central Java.

Presented by Sahul & Sunda Arts, this exhibition brings together works from Batang, Indonesia, revealing a rich visual world shaped by lush tropical botanicals, Sufi beliefs and enduring cultural practices. Each work reflects the artists’ deep connection to their environment and their intimate botanical knowledge. Designs feature local fruits, nuts, vines, medicinal leaves, abstracted butterflies, birds and marine life – capturing the abundance of Java’s natural landscapes. The motifs embody layers of meaning: lessons, hopes and prayers inspired by Sufi mysticism and Javanese philosophy. 

The exhibition also introduces the talented artists behind each of these works. In a semi-rural, semi-industrial community in Batang, a small group of artists continues to practice and preserve these intricate, spiritually infused designs – traditions now increasingly rare due to social, cultural and economic change.

Alongside the exhibition, enjoy film screenings, artist talks, hands-on workshops and a living botanical batik walk through the Gardens.