Decolonizing Batik Belanda: Women, Memory and the Art of Shared Heritage

Описание: This research project explores “Batik Belanda” (a hybrid form of batik that emerged during the colonial period in Indonesia) as a lens to critically examine shared heritage, gendered histories, and cultural memory between Indonesia and the Netherlands. The research engages with the intersections of postcolonial critique, textile history, and collaborative museology to advance the broader agenda of building a sustainable future through education and research. Batik Belanda, primarily produced by Indo- European and Peranakan Chinese women in colonial Java, is more than a textile tradition, it is a visual narrative shaped by power, identity, and cultural exchange. Its motifs reflect personal stories, colonial hierarchies, and cross-cultural aesthetics.

Today, these cloths are housed in museums across both Indonesia and the Netherlands, yet the historical and artistic contributions of the women behind them remain underexplored. By foregrounding women’s agency and memory in the making of Batik Belanda, this research challenges dominant Eurocentric narratives and repositions batik as a site of female authorship, resistance, and creativity. Aligned with the subtheme of knowledge and research collaboration on decolonization, this study contributes to decolonial praxis by encouraging ethical, bilateral partnerships between Indonesian and Dutch institutions, particularly museums, universities, and cultural organizations. Through joint research, co-curated exhibitions, and digitization of collections, the project facilitates reciprocal knowledge exchange and shared authority in heritage interpretation. In terms of strengthening shared heritage through art, this research views Batik Belanda as a medium of dialogue that connects historical inquiry with contemporary creativity.

Artistic heritage becomes a space where contested pasts are acknowledged, alternative narratives are uplifted, and mutual understanding is fostered. The project encourages educators, researchers, and cultural workers to see art not only as an object of study but also as a tool for reconciliation and cultural diplomacy. In the end, Decolonizing Belanda Batik: Women, Memory, and the Art of Shared Heritage is about more than looking back, it’s about moving forward together. By uncovering the stories of women behind Batik Belanda and encouraging collaboration between Indonesia and the Netherlands, this research helps us better understand our shared past while building bridges for the future. It shows how art, education, and community can come together to honor cultural heritage, promote equality, and create a more respectful and inclusive world.