Julia returns to Jakarta: Installment #1

Julia returns to her birthplace of Java, on a mission to preserve a national batik treasure.

In early April, Julia returned to her birthplace of Java, to preserve an important collection of batik by Iwan Tirta; a joint project of the US Embassy and Musuem Tekstil–the batik of diplomacy. This is the first of several installments of Julia’s journey back to Indonesia…her birthplace, as well as the birthplace of batik. Watch for more photos and updates over the next few days…

The conservation lab at Museum Tekstil houses batiks Iwan made exclusively for the American Embassy in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

‘Awas Sobek’ caution holes damage – signage that channels conservation lesson #1

Julia and and Chargé Kristen Bauer looking at the “Reagan Ksatriyan” batik, The name refers to the traditional Javanese court design of the diagonal pattern with motif in center, usually a garuda, but for Reagan’s state visit in 1986, Iwan Tirta designed this hand batik with the Great Seal, and crafted it into the formal dress shirt.