Cloud Batik (Batik Megamendung)

This cloud batik is a wrap-around skirt (kain panjang) from Cirebon, Indonesia. Made in the mid-20th century, this batik decorated cotton textile features blue and white shaded clouds on a bright red background. This sort of design is very popular in the region and referred to as megamendung. In Indonesian mega means cloud and mendung describes the water-heavy quality of a cloud about to rain.

Batik is a process used to decorate textiles that was especially popular in Indonesia in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly on the island of Java. It is a wax-resist dyeing technique that textile artists use to create their desired patterns on cloth. The Dallas Museum of Art recently had an exhibition of batiks from their collection that included a similar batik megamendung. They have also written a number of blog posts about the process and batik in general that explain process well.