It is a manifestation of the love for batik by art patron Dr Tan Chong Guan. The museum occupies a three-storey Straits Eclectic-style shop house at 19 Armenian Street. Purchased in 2010, the museum underwent a three-year restoration before having its soft opening on 1 October, 2013. The museum fulfills Dr Tan's desire of founding a museum that showcases the history of batik in Malaysia. This is p
robably the first and only museum of its kind in the country. The museum showcases many of the art pieces by artists who were central in making batik an art form. There is about 80 over pieces of batik paintings exhibited on three levels. This Museum aims to tell the historical story of how art form began in the 1950's and its subsequent development by a good number of talented artists in Malaysia. The story began with an artist living in Penang named Chuah Thean Teng (or Teng, Dato'). He was an established artist who was also familiar with the old traditional batik technique of using dye-resist process in making decorative motifs and designs on fabrics. Around the year 1950, he saw the possibility of combining his artistic talents with his batik making skills to create fine works of art. The idea was new, and although it appeared simple, it took him several years of intensive experimentation before he succeeded. The first historical Batik Painting Exhibition took place in Penang in the year 1955. Those exhibitions were highly acclaimed and captivated the imagination of the art circle. Thus a new form of art known as "Batik Painting" was born. The story continues with many other Malaysian artists (including Singapore) taking up the challenge to embrace this new medium of art. New innovative techniques were evolved resulting in many rich and diversified styles of works being created. There over 80 original Batik Paintings being presented in this Museum. They begin with Teng's early works done in the 1950's up until the current period. Over 30 artists are represented. They include Khalil Ibrahim, Tay Mo-Leong (Dato'), Fatimah Chik, Toya, Ismail Mat Hussin, Koay Soo Kao, Cheong Soo Pieng, Seah Kim Joo etc. A small number of artists in other countries also take up Batik Paintings. This Museum includes a small section devoted to works by artists in China, Indonesia and Thailand. Batik Painting has come a long way since its inception some 60 years ago. It continues to evolve with new styles and techniques. Many artists in Malaysia have dedicated themselves to the struggle of the establishment of this beautiful medium of art. This Museum is proud to present their works for viewing,and at the same time, pays tribute to them for their highly significant contribution to art.
