Process: Batik

Process: Batik - Osei – Duro

 Many of Osei-Duro's hand dyed prints are made using batik. Batik is a technique of  wax-resist dyeing that originated from Indonesia, and came to West Africa over 100 years ago. It's possible that batik was brought back by the Belanda Hitam, or "Black Dutchmen," who were indentured West African soldiers stationed by Dutch in Indonesia.

Rows of concrete blocks drying under the sun in an open field with tropical trees in the background.
A pile of rubber stamps used from batik, with a black plastic bag among them.
Bowls filled with dye, surrounded by various containers and a wooden stool on a concrete floor.
Blue wall with “My God IS Good” written in chalk, a window with metal grills and patterned glass, and a concrete ledge below.
Patterned fabric draped between two points outdoors with vertical metal rods and unfinished concrete structures.
Charcoal stove with metal grill and large basin in an outdoor area.
Old metal chair with peeling blue paint on a speckled terrazzo floor, in front of a blue perforated concrete wall.
Fabric with a pattern of white shapes on a blue background, draped over a clothesline with buildings in the background.
Large cloth laid out on the ground, held down by rocks, people painting on the fabric.
Blue fabric with a batik print on the ground.
Fabric with circular patterns on the ground, some containing black stones, with sand around the edges and a larger stone on top.
Individual hand-washing a blue and white patterned garment in a concrete wash basin with a running water tap and a black bucket inside.
Two individuals holding a large piece of batik printed fabric in a residential area with greenery.