Shuen-Li Spirit
As a Singaporean third-generational Batik artist, Nyonya Shuen has been giving Batik workshops since 2016 in the Netherlands.
Nyonya is a term for Peranakan woman. The Peranakan culture evolved from the inter-ethnic marriages of Chinese immigrants with women from Indonesia and Malay descent. The language which she grew up with is called Baba Malay, a mix of Malay with Chinese Hokkein dialect. So in this case, Batik is known as Batek.
Being raised by her grandmother, who was orphaned in the Japanese Occupation, is what inspired Shuen to continue the Batik tradition. Her forgiving spirit showed Shuen how Batik is used as a peaceful process of reconciliation. That is how her business came about ~ Art for the Gentle Spirit.
Over the years, Shuen has grown to cherish her heritage and Batik roots even more as her grandmother approaches 100. Her tjanting tools are shared till this day at Shuen’s Batik workshops and masterclasses. A poignant short documentary film of her story can be found at her website https://www.shuenlispirit.art/
To see her Batik processes and free tutorials https://www.youtube.com/@Shuen.Li.Spirit
To see her Batik workshops and exhibitions https://www.instagram.com/artforthegentlespirit/
Artworks by Shuen-Li
| Website: | www.shuenlispirit.art/ |
| www.instagram.com/artforthegentlespirit/ |