Ties or Scarves

Scarves

Scarves
Klang Valley Streets: It’s a wrap, Zuriah-style By : Suryani Dalip 2007/06/18

FINISHING TOUCH: Zuriah puts her “stamp” on one of her scarves.
An artist turns her hand to scarves, and gives some tips to SURYANI DALIP.
SHARIFAH Zuriah Aljeffri is an artist with many talents, adept at painting on canvas and on fabric as well. These days, much of her time is spent on making hand painted scarves.The scarves come in many shapes and sizes — square, big and small selendang, at prices from RM40.Her affair with scarves started about five years ago after learning the art from a close artist friend, Helen Stacey, in South Australia when Zuriah held a solo art exhibition in Adelaide. She says many Australian artists take to hand-painting silk scarves because they cannot depend on painting sales for an income.“And like them, I am doing it for the income that I have yet to make,” she said laughingly, because she has yet to think up ways to market her scarves. For the moment, her clientele comprises relatives and friends who buy her scarves to be given away as gifts. But a number of silk pieces have sold in Australia, especially lotus and chrysanthemum designs drawn using the Chinese brush technique. The pieces were displayed in Stacey’s Fine Art Studio and Gallery in Strathalbyn. Talking about how it all started, Zuriah said that her interest in the art form had begun long before 2002.“I have always wanted to learn this art. I did try once in 1980 when the National Art Gallery held a batik-painting class, but the tjanting tool technique is too complicated and takes up a lot of time. I’m impatient. I like hand-painting better because it is quicker.”When she first started, she experimented with using rock and fine salt, and wax to draw the lines. Over time, she tried new techniques including gutta (as a substitute to wax), sponge, bleeding and layering. As for materials, she worked on crepe georgette, crinkle chiffon and silk which she bought from Australia.“Different types of materials produce different textures,” she noted.As for colours, Zuriah likes to play with strong and vibrant colours: her favourites are red, blue and purple.“More often than not my designs are abstract rather than specific. It is a mix between traditional and modern. When I work on a scarf, the first thing that I think of is colours that I want to apply. Only then, will ideas for the design come,” she said.“I usually use two colours for a scarf, but sometimes three or four. I play with colours a lot. I will set two basic colours and while doing it, decide to add more.”Zuriah steams her works for four hours using a special stainless steel steamer imported from Australia, instead of boiling them as is normally done here. The scarves are wrapped in newsprint, rolled up and placed in the steamer.“I am the only Malaysian who uses this method. Before I bought my own steamer, I used to send them to Helen for steaming. I decided to get my own, and I was lucky. When I ordered, it was the only one left. The guy is not making it any more.”Zuriah added that she can produce between three and four pieces of small scarves or two big scarves in a day. She works from her home’s backyard which serves as her scarves-studio. “Once I start working on the scarves, I tend to get carried away and lose track of time. I often forget about my back ache until I have finished,” she said.During the interview, Zuriah demonstrated ways to wear a scarf.“It is not only used to cover the head, you can also put it around your neck, drape it on one side of the shoulder, tie loosely around the shoulders. It also help to add colours to a plain dress and can act as a shawl to keep you warm.”A few tips from Zuriah: hand-wash your scarf; for the last rinse, put a few drops of vinegar in the water, soak the scarves in it for a couple of minute before rinsing. This will help to keep the shine and quality of the colour. And iron it while it is still damp (for silk scarves).Zuriah also does note cards featuring some of her paintings,priced at RM1 and RM3.50. Next, she plans to make silk sarongs and tops. The designs are already available.In August, she will be in Penang for a solo art exhibition, her first in the north.* Zuriya Studio Gallery is at No. 33 Jalan Prima Pelangi 1, Off Segambut Dalam, Bukit Prima Pelangi, Kuala Lumpur. Viewing is by appoinment only. For more information, e-mail zuriyastudiogallery@gmail.com or call 012-207-6860.

posted by Robee Dobee @ 6:30 AM