Agus Ismoyo (Indonesian) and Nia Fliam (American) have been working collaboratively to produce contemporary batik textiles in their studio, Brama Tirta Sari, (Yogyakarta, Indonesia), since 1985. Brahma Tirta Sari, which means creativity is the source of all knowledge, was founded on the belief that there are many relevant traditions rooted in cultures throughout the world. Ismoyo’s ancestors were batik makers in the court city of Solo in Java. He was trained in industrial management at the Industrial Academy (AKPRIND) in Yogyakarta. Fliam originally explored dye resist techniques from Africa and Asia in America. She completed her fine arts degree at Pratt Institute in New York City before coming to Indonesia in 1983 to study traditional batik. Currently, Brahma Tirta Sari is recognized for their intricate, nuanced, and time-intensive fine art textiles. The studio has received critical acclaim for their use of traditional textile techniques to explore the contemporary potential of the medium. Ismoyo and Fliam have exhibited worldwide, and this year, will be featured in the exhibition Out of Southeast Asia: Art that Sustains at the Textile Museum of Washington D.C., April 12 – October 13, 2013.

This event is cosponsored by Museum of Contemporary Craft (MoCC) and the World Affairs Council (WAC). Tickets are $5, free for MoCC and WAC Members.