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batik: cloth with a story
Batik is textile art. Wax and dyes create patterns that tell stories of identity and culture. The batik painting in the Ulster Museum's World Cultures collection shows us how batik is still a treasured part of African textile traditions, connecting Northern Ireland to global cultures and creativity.
During Beulah Oluwadamilola Abu’s time spent as a volunteer for National Museums NI from 2022-2024, she helped document and research new objects entering into the World Cultures collections.
Beulah’s research into the World Cultures collection shows how volunteers help preserve cultural diversity and bring global stories to life. In this article Beulah shares some of her research into a batik painting on cotton from Nigeria in the Ulster Museum.
What is batik?
Batik turns fabric into art. Batik is an intricate wax-resist dyeing technique used for centuries to create vibrant patterns on fabric. Artists apply hot wax to parts of the cloth to block dye, producing intricate designs when the wax is removed.[1] In Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba people, batik is more than decoration, it tells stories of identity, culture, and community. Each piece of batik fabric tells a story, making it not only a craft but also a significant cultural artefact.
Nigerian Batik in the Ulster Museum Collection
The batik cloth captured in the image below (BELUM.C2023.8) features a stylised figure, likely representing a Yoruba deity, musician, or masquerade performer. The striking contrast created by the use of gold and black hues enhances the intricate line work of the design. Surrounding the figure, the patterns may symbolise themes such as spiritual energy, storytelling, or communal harmony, which are prevalent motifs in Yoruba art.[2]
This textile artwork beautifully captures the essence of a drummer amidst a backdrop of vibrant greens, yellows, and oranges. This piece exemplifies the artist's skilful use of colour and pattern to convey the rhythmic energy and dynamic movements associated with drumming.
Mrs Dorothy Smith donated the artwork to the Ulster Museum in 2022.
In the latter half of the 1970s, Dorothy lived in Northern Nigeria with her late husband (Prof) Bernard Smith who was then a lecturer in the Geography department, Ahmadu Bello University. They lived in a bungalow on the Ahmadu Bello University campus, Zaria, Nigeria but travelled widely both within Nigeria and West Africa. They collected a range of items on their travels including this batik painting on material as well as other textiles during that time. When they moved to Northern Ireland in 1979, where Bernard took up a post in the Geography department at Queen’s University Belfast, they brought these pieces with them as a reminder of the cultural life in Nigeria.
Understanding the Colours and Technique
- Greens: symbolize nature, life, and growth
- Yellows and oranges: express warmth, excitement, and rhythm
The greens in the artwork represent the richness of nature, creating a sense of life and growth. They bring energy to the piece, suggesting plants or a natural environment that complements the central figure. Meanwhile, the yellows and oranges add warmth, excitement, and passion, reflecting the energy and rhythm of the drummer. The artwork is made using the wax-resist technique, which adds texture and depth to the fabric. This process involves applying wax to certain areas of the fabric to block the dye, allowing the exposed sections to soak up vibrant colours. The contrast between the waxed and dyed areas brings the artwork to life, giving it movement and dimension.
Who is the artist?
The distinctive signature and style of this textile artwork suggest it was created by Nike Davies Okundaye, a prominent Nigerian textile artist, painter, and philanthropist. Her work beautifully captures the essence of Nigeria's traditions and cultural heritage.
Ulster Museum's Inclusive Global Histories gallery, which showcases a diverse range of objects, invites visitors to connect with their heritage. It was a truly enriching experience that gave me a deep sense of connection and belonging.
Why it matters?
Batik is not just art, it's a cultural artefact and a living narrative of Yoruba traditions and heritage in Nigeria. This painting allows visitors to connect with African textile art, global cultural histories, and Northern Ireland’s international connections, it is a testament to the ingenuity of Nike Davies-Okundaye and her innovative use of traditional techniques. Nike continues to inspire new generations of artists while preserving one of Africa’s most treasured art forms.
[1] Oyewumi, O. (2015). What Gender is Motherhood? Changing Yoruba Ideals of Power, Procreation, and Identity in the Age of Modernity. Palgrave Macmillan.
[2] Awe, B. (2000). Nigerian Women in Historical Perspective. Sankore Publishers.
This Nigerian batik painting on cotton is currently on display in the Inclusive Global Histories exhibition.
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