Walter Bausenwein, b. 1946
Walter Bausenwein is one of the few important batik artists in Europe. In his hands, textiles such as silk, linen and velvet are transformed into fascinating mural objects. Because his batik has been mounted and sometimes framed, his work is more like paintings than tapestries. Bausenwein's batik art is mostly abstract and has a varied colour scheme. In addition to batik in light and dark colours, there is also monochrome work. Batik comes in different dimensions ranging from 9.84˝x9.84˝ (25x25cm) to 39.37˝x39.37˝ (100x100cm).
For more than thirty years, Walter Bausenwein has occupied himself with the traditional Indonesian batik technique. Next to his job as inspired teacher, he held a chair for Textile Design at the University of Würzburg , Germany, until 2000. In 2008, he made an enormous velvet cloak and a series of works matching this theme for the play Bluebeard by the Würzburg Theatre.
Motives for Bausenwein's batik art are landscapes, poems and fairytales. He meticulously transfers his designs onto the material with a pencil. Geometric shapes are important. The interaction between the type of material and the quality of the dye bath is also involved in the design. Afterwards, the batik process starts, not to be confused with painting on silk. As early as 1986 he documented the complicated batik process in an attractive short film.
Batik alchemist Bausenwein knows the finer points of the batik technique, but the complexity of the process drives him to new designs time and time again. After all, the possibilities for variation in execution are endless. Smooth silk responds differently than matt, rough silk. Smooth wax gives a different pattern than firm wax. Depending on the temperature of the dye bath, this could be plain, crackled, or even marbled. The wish to display this richness, share the knowledge with those who are ready for it, is the origins of Bausenwein's batik.
Price indication. Work measuring 9.84˝x9.84˝ (25x25cm) € 150.00. Other work € 500.00 - € 1,500.00.
Bausenwein Batik 0003 75x75