Denpasar, In the City

Aryani Tedjamulya
Painting on Kebaya Blouse

Painting on canvas is a common thing. But who can paint on a kebaya (woman’s blouse the front of which is pinned together)? It can be carried out by Aryani Tedjamulya, a household mother having an educational background in English Department and Computer studies.

All people assuredly wish to look differently. So, it’s not mistaken if a painted kebaya is also favoured by foreign tourists. Most orders are received from Singapore, Malaysia and France. Especially those of foreign enthusiasts, they prefer casual fashions. "Through this painted kebaya, I’d like to introduce the Balinese culture overseas," said the owner of Kelambi Bali, a showroom collecting painted kebaya situated at Jalan Anyelir 26G, Denpasar.
Though she learns auto didactically, the works of Ninik—her familiar nickname—have been frequently presented on momentous events, either in national or international level. When her works were presented in Jakarta, she was crowned as Creative Woman 2001 by one of national printed media. Similarly, she was also entrusted to design the costume of Miss Chinese Pageant 2005 attended by 48 countries. "Circle of models and artists like Tamara Blezensky chose her design. Government officials, such as the former president Megawati, also wears some of her works," she added.
According to her, she started this work after she failed to become a computer expert circa 1998. The idea to make painting on kebaya originally came to her mind to show her painting works to everyone. If just painting on canvas, it will be enjoyed ony by certain people. Consequently, she tried to paint on kebaya do it can be enjoyed by all people. In addition, she really would like to present the kebaya in different styles. "I really like painting since my childhood. It was commenced from painting on drawing book and canvas. Then, since 1998, I learned to paint on a kebaya," she explained.
As a Balinese woman, through her painted kebaya, the woman from Denpasar-born on 31 January 1971, would like to uplift and preserve the Balinese culture. It is inordinately possible as the motifs developed remain in the traditional styles.
Since kebaya is a fashion for woman, she deliberately highlights the floral motif such as frangipani and hibiscus, while for men she takes the motif from wayang. "I’ve created many motifs. A motif is usually applied to make 10-20 pieces of kebaya, so the chance to look differently is vastly great," Ninik added.
The major media she uses is cotton fabric. Meanwhile, its brush is exceptionally made from squirrel’s tail. If applying an ordinary brush, it does not work. And for the colour, she employs special paint intended for textile. "It’s quite difficult to paint on fabric as it often oozes out. Painting on cloth should be performed in one way, otherwise it should be replaced with the new one," said this mother of three sons.
As spelt out, the process of its making is as follows: first thing first, determine the pattern and idea of the painting that has been programmed. Then, express the entire idea onto the kebaya through tools mentioned above. Previously, it is made in the form of sketches and then resumed by her employees consisting of six persons. "Frankly speaking, my works do not mean so much. I’d like to keep on making them perfect," said the wife of A.A. Ngurah Agung.(BTN/015)