Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Lloyd.
Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been interested in batik making since 2005. Batik is a traditional Indonesian fabric listed by UNESCO as part of the national heritage. It’s an art on a piece of cloth. It’s very intricate, complex, and challenging to make. I was trained as a batik maker by Mrs. Kunaeni from a famous batik brand Danar Hadi.
My background as a designer also contributes to this art form. I’m also a Chinese brush painting artist. I want to combine both arts into one day. Right now, I’m designing my batik, and hopefully, I can put them on display in several different museums in Florida.
I had my first batik exhibition last year with Deerfield Beach Cultural Center, and hope will continue with a variety of museums and cultural centers. I would like to introduce this art form to Florida and the United States
I came to the United States precisely in North Carolina in 1999 to continue my study at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I’ve been married to my husband for almost 25 years. I moved to Florida after graduation in 2003. I opened my interior design company, but I have to shut it down because of the 2008 economic crisis.
I changed my career to law enforcement in 2009, where I continued my study at Florida Atlantic University and graduated with BA in sociology.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been mixed both smoothly and challenging. The creation process is enjoyable. However, the introduction process, such as finding places to display my art is complicated. I have set my eyes on a particular museum for my next exhibition, but I’m still collecting materials to be presented to this museum.
Right now, I’m creating my batik documentary on a youtube channel with the help of my friends. The documentary consists of 3 parts. Part one is a batik from West Java. The second part will be batik from Center Java, and the third part will be batik from the rest of Indonesia. Hopefully, these documentaries will be done within 3 three years
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I can’t tell you too much about my full-time job. I have been working in the local sheriff’s office for 14 years. Besides my full-time job, I am an artist who paints on fabric, paper, and other media, including jewelry.
Right now, I’m concentrating on batik design. I want to introduce Batik to the United States, starting with Florida as part of the Indonesian national heritage. Batik design is more than a design. It tells the story of the maker or local legends about humanity or just tells a story about the beautiful earth.
I have two degrees in Interior Design and Sociology. I love cultures, and I am involved in other cultures as well. I was involved with Japanese culture through the Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden. I helped Thai society helping with their festival, parade, etc. I enjoyed so much traveling to see and learn about other cultures.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Art makes me happy since it’s part of my world and family. My mom has been good with art since she was little. I guess I inherited the art blood from her. My nieces are also involved in choir and traditional dancing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kaki-product.com/
- Instagram: @kaki_product_legacy
- Facebook: Kaki product
- Youtube: Kaki product
- Etsy: @legacybykakiproduct
Image Credits
Maria and Deerfield Beach Cultural Center Indonesia (2018)
