Airbrush Karawo Batik Design

Abstract

Karawo is the name of Gorontalo’s traditional embroidery widely popular since the 1600s. This present study collaborated Karawo with batik nusantara into a product along with the use of coloring method, i.e. airbrush as the finishing. Such a design is aimed at improving the quality of a local product without eliminating its local wisdom. This characteristic is to distinguish the embroidery with other similar products. The development in science, technology and arts has turned Karawo into more modern products with a fresh look. The model of Karawo is decorated by the application of the colors named ‘ilabataila’ consisting of red, golden yellow, green and violet. This is to represent and emphasizes the identity of the customs of Gorontalo or the local wisdom on the Karawo batik with an airbrush. The purpose of this experimental research is to identify the potential of Gorontalo that can be of use as the inspiration of new artworks and an alternative to a textile craft product. It consists of steps, such as (1) exploration of the sources of an idea from the local wisdom by observing some Karawo enterprises, visiting iconic destinations in Gorontalo and researching some literature, and (2) designing or visualizing the concepts and ideas into a drawing pattern.