With the recent celebrations of Hari Merdeka and Malaysia Day, this digital art exhibit could not come at a better time to showcase Malaysian culture. At the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the immersive art space of RXP.KL is featuring a fifteen-minute showcase of batik—patterned artworks that resemble traditional Malaysian textiles.
The artist behind the exhibit is Arif Rafhan, better known as Superdoofus—an award winning artist and illustrator who uses batik art to blend traditional and contemporary styles, honoring Malaysia’s rich past while showcasing its future.
Artwork from Superdoofus
Batik is an ancient dyeing technique from Indonesia, where wax resist-dyeing is used to depict patterns or images on textiles by preventing dye from reaching other parts of the cloth. From its ancient origins, batik has spread throughout the world in places like Egypt, China, India, and of course, the neighboring country of Malaysia.
Arif uses the technique to full effect, crafting pieces that showcase Malaysia’s rich culture—from the different ethnic groups in the country to a typical scene of a family sharing a meal together in a traditional kampung house. The vibrant colors and complex patterns on the canvas bring the artwork to life in intricate detail.
Artworks from Superdoofus
Artworks from Superdoofus
To transform his artworks from the canvas to the screens of RXP.KL, Arif enlisted the help of multimedia designer Fahmi Hosnan, music producer Bo Amir Iqram (Cuurley), and 3D model designer Ian Kit. The immersive work is also accompanied by a voiceover narration, telling the story of how the Malaysian kampung or village began, and showing key moments in Malaysian history.
“I’m thankful to be able to work on a project of this magnitude. I’ve always been open to collaborations that allow local art to be brought to greater heights, and I think this will lead to more opportunities in the future,” shared Arif in an interview.
Hanya Batik will continue to run in RXP.KL until February 2025 as part of the Twilight season, so don’t miss out and catch this immersive and authentic Malaysian experience.