Lou Zeldis Batiks from Java

Lou Zeldis Batiks

Surakarta, Java

These hand-drawn batiks are Lou Zeldis originals and one-of-a-kind. Each is the result of much time and effort using traditional techniques of wax-resist patterning and natural dyes. Lou Zeldis was masterful in the use of design using age-old batik techniques as his media, while his images were inspired by nature, found objects, and his travels across the world. The Javanese script at the bottom lists the motif, the name of the makers, Lou’s name as the designer, and the year the batik was produced.

Lou spent many years in Indonesia and was fascinated with colour and form in art and nature. These textiles are wonderful as wall hangings, or as table cloths, or to use as a sarong to wrap yourself in.

The motif is called the Golden Mean or Divine Proportion, but is generated from the Golden Ratio which occurs if their ratio of two quantities is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. That is, where a>b>0 and (a+b)/a = a/b. The spiral motif in this batik is formed of quarter circles inscribed in adjacent squares where the length of the side of one square divided by that of the next smaller square is the golden ratio.

Batik hand drawn, single panel, commercial cotton, natural dyes. Made in Java, 2001.

234 x 102 cm / 92 x 40 in

T02.CO.ZL.XXXX.2027

The motif in this batik is called crazy wheel and is one of Lou’s most memorable designs.

Batik hand drawn, single panel, commercial cotton, natural dyes. Made in Java, 2011.

236 x 103 cm / 93 x 40.5 in

T02.CO.ZL.XXXX.2022

The motif of this batik is called op art and has a wonderful three-dimensional feeling.

Batik hand drawn, single panel, commercial cotton, natural dyes.

Made in Java, 2002. 234 x 102 cm / 92 x 40 in

T02.CO.ZL.XXXX.2025