Mudcloth and Batik Chair Spark a Moondance

Well, it’s a wonderful night for a moondance…

Doesn’t this batik have you swaying to the sounds of the breezes that blow, ‘Neath the cover of October skies? Thank you, Van Morison for the imagery that this piece of art creates. 

This chair is a unique work of art created by combining a Mali mudcloth and a Batik art piece. Don’t you agree that this combination of textiles makes for one of the most classy and artful chairs? The rich colors and textures of these two artisan textiles work beautifully together on this simple but elegant caned chair. Aren’t familiar with mudcloth or batik textiles? 

Well if you know me, you know I adore handcrafted artisan textiles from all over the globe. Mudcloth is handmade in Mali, Africa. Batiks hail from Indonesia originally, but is now a recognized art practice by textile artists the world over. Let’s take a little closer look at each of these textiles. 

There are some similarities in how these fabrics are made in that the designs for both are created using a resist process. This means that the design is applied to the textile with a resin or wax, that once dyed, the resin/wax is removed leaving the design. 

Mudcloth comes from Mali, Africa. It is a fabric that is generally a looser weave in white or cream. The design is applied and then the fabric is dyed using the fermented mud from the Mali River. The patterns are very graphic and yes there are meanings behind the symbols. Mudcloth is one of the most celebrated of African textiles and has gained quite a following in the design world. The textured fabric and the graphics definitely say boho and can even lend a very modern vibe to anything they adorn.

Indonesia, specifically Java, is the home of batik textiles. Although there is evidence of batik dating to ancient times, it was in Java that batik became popular and spread globally. The art form has ebbed and waned through the ages but in the 1960’s became popular again. Batik is now a loved and respected art practiced throughout the world.

To use these two textiles on a chair, so similar but so different is truly makes an artful chair. The colors of black, cream, green and bronze are perfect compliments to each other. The symbols of the mudcloth, the linear landscape of the batik, even the cane of the chair all share a graphic quality. The figures joyfully dancing in the moonlight and the hand drawn symbols bring whimsy. But overall this chair makes a strong modern and classy statement. 

This chair is a departure from many of the past Cobani Bleu chairs. But I assure you this chair speaks to my creative side and to that deep appreciation for artisan textiles. It won’t be my last chair to feature mudcloth or batik textiles. In fact, if you want your own version, I’d be happy to help you. Or maybe you’d just like to give Moondance a home? She is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.