b-side were so pleased to host Indosian batik artist Ria Ekasari and Portland artist Lynn Kirkland’s public workshops in 2025.

The unique cross-cultural arts project brought together two ancient wax-based traditions -Indonesian batik and British encaustic painting to explore environmental fragility through contemporary creative practice.

Supported through the British Council’s Connections Through Culture programme, the collaboration paired Indonesian batik artist Ria Ekasari with Portland-based encaustic artist Lyn Kirkland. The project created a platform for artistic exchange, combining batik’s wax-resist dyeing techniques with the layered, molten-wax processes of encaustic painting.

Through residencies, workshops and shared experimentation, the artists investigated how traditional craft practices can respond to pressing environmental concerns while preserving cultural knowledge. The partnership highlighted the surprising connections between two distinct artistic traditions that both rely on wax as a creative medium.

Beyond the artistic collaboration, the project aimed to build longer-term creative networks between Indonesia and the UK.

It was brilliant to be able to offer visitors to the b-side festival in 2025 a chance to be part of this  international cultural exchange, sparking new conversations about creativity, sustainability and our relationship with the natural world.

Read the full article HERE