MalaysiaKuala Lumpur $$$$$ All Year Indoor
Art

Jadi Batek Gallery

Explore the traditional Malay art of batik - intricate designs hand-painted on fabric using wax resist dyeing techniques. Shop for souvenirs, clothing, toys, framed paintings, table runners and napkins, or take a peek inside the workshop to see talented artists hard at work, creating the very items sold in the store.

If you're feeling creative, book a batik class and create your own napkin, t-shirt, or scarf to take home. Choose from a wide selection of designs or bring your own to trace on the fabric. Staff then attach your fabric to a frame and teach you how to apply the hot wax and mix your favorite colors to dye your design. The best part? Simply leave your artwork to dry and enjoy your vacation while the staff set, wash and iron it for you. Come back the next day to collect your masterpiece. Easy!

Located in the heart of KL, the easy access of Jadi Batek is enhanced by the warm hospitality of its staff. Be awed at the beautiful display of hand-made original batiks and the versatility of the craft's applications.

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Price

Free

Time Spent

1-1.5hours

Fitness level: Very easy

Hours

9am-5:30pm7 days

Look Around

Attaching cotton to the frameAttaching cotton to the frame
Drawing a border around our fabricDrawing a border around our fabric
Various colored dyesVarious colored dyes
Staff preparation
Pattern beneath fabric ready for tracingPattern beneath fabric ready for tracing
Adding creative flairAdding creative flair
Finished tracingFinished tracing
Step 1 - tracing the pattern in pencil
Repeating trace with traditional batik hot wax penRepeating trace with traditional batik hot wax pen
Wax dries and creates a boundary to prevent spread of dyeWax dries and creates a boundary to prevent spread of dye
Step 2 complete!Step 2 complete!
Step 2 - adding hot wax
Carefully adding colorCarefully adding color
Final touches on the borderFinal touches on the border
Once finished, fabric is washed to seal the color.Once finished, fabric is washed to seal the color.
Step 3 - painting with dyes
Design 1Design 1
Design 2Design 2
The final results

Who Will Like Jadi Batek Gallery

Culture Buff

Enjoy the huge variety of traditional batik designs with intricate motifs and vivid colors, historically made popular by south-east Asian royal patronage. Buy a classic batik sarong or participate in a class and create your own masterpiece to take home.

Retail Therapist

Visit the gallery to purchase intricate, hand-made souvenirs that represent part of Malaysian culture.

Fun Expert

Book a batik class for your family and let your kids have a go at painting their own t-shirt. Staff will happily complete the hot wax portion of the class for youngsters.

Insider Tips For Jadi Batek Gallery

Staff member painting fabric

Batik classes should be booked in advance, either in-store or online. Classes last at least 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your design. Prices vary depending on the item you choose to paint. Napkins (large squares) cost RM60 (USD$12.72) for cotton or RM80 (USD$16.96) for silk, t-shirts cost RM80 (USD$16.96), and silk scarves cost RM120 (USD$25.43). Aprons are provided to protect your clothes.

Video

Where Is It

30, Jalan Inai, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Open map...

How To Get There

Rideshare

Drivers drop off outside the main entrance.

Train (MRTTun Razak Exchange)

Walk 5 minutes northwest from the station.

Walking directions from train...

Bus (Rapid KL Bus Green & PurpleStarhill Gallery)

Walk 8 minutes east from the station.

Walking directions from bus...

Bus (401#267 Menara RHB)

Walk 6 minutes northwest from the station.

Walking directions from bus... Google Map directions may be inaccurate

What To Bring

Do:
  • Water to drink during class.
  • Printed designs to trace onto your fabric (optional).
  • Comfortable shoes suitable for standing over 1 hour.
  • Small handheld fan if you are sensitive to heat, as the workshop area gets quite hot.
Don't:
  • Favorite clothes and shoes in case wax or dye gets on them.

Tech & Photography

Wifi

Public wifi access: None

Photography

Photography allowed: Yes

Tripod allowed: Not encouraged

Selfie sticks allowed: Not encouraged

Best time to shoot: Anytime

Tips: Photography is allowed in the workshop area but not in the gallery/shop.

Drones

Drones allowed: No

Bags

Backpacks allowed: Yes

Secured bag lockers available: No

Food & Drink

A handful of Chinese and western restaurants are located within walking distance.

Backstory

The wax resistant method of dyeing natural fabrics has been found in Egyptian tombs on 4th century BC cloth. Chinese artists' use of this method has been found on 600AD silk, traded along the silk road. The word 'batik' used to describe this dyeing process mainly on cotton, is a Bahasa word linking both Malaysia and Indonesia where today's most famous batiks are found. Each country has developed its own traditional designs and styles.

The Jadi Batek Gallery in Kuala Lumpur is the brainchild of Yong Jo and Thong Lai Ying who, in 1976, started making batik shirts and ties. The business grew to include women's and children's clothing and in 2004, they opened a display exhibit for tourists that today includes personalized classes.

Etiquette

Do:
  • Be respectful to artists who are working and keep voices low in the workshop.
  • Listen to artists’ instructions when creating your own batik.
Don't:
  • Take pictures in the gallery. 

Scorecard

Best Parts:
  • Variety of items for sale in the gallery. Several small items are reasonably priced and suitable for souvenirs. 
  • Classes to create your own batik item and choose your own design. 
  • Open workshop where skillful artisans can be seen creating batik treasures.
Could Be Better:
  • Expensive price for some items for sale in the gallery. 
My itinerary Save View

Oh, you're so close

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Joining only takes a minute and it's... um... free! Plus you get other perks like badges, points, and unicorns.

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What's Nearby In Kuala Lumpur

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