'Batik' Holds Special Meaning for Obama's Half-Sister

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Ann Dunham, the late mother of United States President Barack Obama, was fond of batik who truly appreciated the fabric beyond its beauty. This fondness for batik is shared by her daughter and Obama's half-sister, Dr Maya Soetoro-Ng, who said that the textile held a special meaning in her life as it reminded her of her late mother and the work that she had carried out in this region. "For me, 'batik' reminds me of my mother's love for the people of Southeast Asia and it makes me feel connected to her," she told reporters after opening a batik exhibition showcasing 20 batik pieces from Dunham's private collection, at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia here Friday. Soetoro-Ng explained that for Dunham, batik was not only beautiful when worn but also when used for decorative purposes. "She also saw it as a powerful medium that tells the story of batik painters who count on the textile as a source of livelihood to help improve the well-being of their family and community," she said. Describing Dunham as a compassionate woman, Soetoro-Ng said her mother was very concerned about equality and justice for women. "She was a hardworking woman and very industrious. She knew when to stop, observe and listen. And it was with this respect and love that she listened and observed the works of batik makers in Indonesia and Malaysia," she said. The exhibition titled 'Ann Dunham's Legacy: A Collection of Indonesian Batik' marks the first time that the collection is being shown outside the United States. The batik collection was put together by Dunham in the 1960's and 1970's, after she moved to Indonesia with her husband and son Obama. During her stay there, as a scholar and anthropologist, she helped women in the local craft industry through microcredit programmes and small enterprises. Soetoro-Ng also commended the effort by museum staff towards making the exhibition a success. "I'm very grateful and moved by the work that the people at the Islamic Arts Museum have put together for this exhibition," she said. The exhibition ends on July 20. -- BERNAMA