Home West Java/News UM Bandung’s Textile and Fashion Craft Program Produces Competitive Textile Artisans with Strong Character
The Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program at UM Bandung continues to solidify its role as a creative educational space that integrates culture, innovation, and sustainability. The program is designed to produce graduates who are not only technically proficient but also possess academic vision, cultural sensitivity, and strong professional character.
Saftiyaningsih Ken Atik, Head of the Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program at UM Bandung, emphasizes that the program's key strength lies in an academic approach that positions textiles as the primary medium for artistic creation. According to her, the learning process goes beyond mere visuals or style, treating textiles instead as a vehicle for thinking, exploration, and innovation.
"We position textiles as the central medium for creative work. Students are encouraged to understand textiles holistically—not merely as finished products, but as part of a meaningful creative process," said Ken Atik during an interview at the UM Bandung campus on Tuesday (February 24, 2026).
She explained that the curriculum of the Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program focuses on three primary areas: structural design, surface design, and textile integration and implementation. These three areas serve as the foundation for developing student competencies, spanning the entire process from the conceptual stage to the final application of the work.
In the realm of structural design, students gain a deep understanding of textile material structures. They go beyond merely designing forms; they also study how textile structures are constructed using various techniques—such as weaving, plaiting, knitting, and crocheting—as well as through the creative and experimental manipulation of textile materials.
Meanwhile, in the area of ​​surface design, students are encouraged to explore the richness of local culture as a primary source of inspiration. Ken Atik emphasizes that *wastra Nusantara* (traditional Indonesian textiles) forms a crucial foundation in the creative process, ensuring that the resulting works remain rooted in cultural identity. "We use local culture as a basis for innovation, so that the creations produced possess both artistic value and a distinct identity," she stated.
Furthermore, textile integration and implementation serve as a distinctive hallmark of graduates from the UM Bandung Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program. Graduates are envisioned not merely as fashion designers, but as textile creators and innovators capable of delivering cross-disciplinary design solutions—ranging from creative products to industrial applications. In terms of curriculum, the program is designed around Project-Based Learning. The learning process unfolds through practical studio work, the exploration of techniques and materials, and design projects rooted in real-world issues. Students are trained to address topics ranging from sustainability and textile waste management to the adaptation of traditional techniques for modern product needs.
Technology integration also plays a vital role in the learning process. Students are introduced to digital textile design, technology-driven fashion design, and the concept of "hybrid craft," which bridges artisanal heritage with future innovation. This approach ensures students remain adaptable to the ever-evolving dynamics of the creative industry.
Furthermore, the UM Bandung Textile and Fashion Craft program actively builds industry connections through internships, professional work placements, and collaborations with MSMEs. These initiatives aim to equip students with practical experience, preparing them to enter the workforce and the creative market.
Given this approach, Ken Atik is optimistic that graduates of the UM Bandung Textile and Fashion Craft program will enjoy broad career prospects. "Our graduates are poised to become professional textile artisans, fashion designers, creative entrepreneurs, and emerging researchers—individuals defined by strong character, ethical standards, and a commitment to sustainability," she concluded.
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UM Bandung’s Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program Hosts "Jejak Rasa" Exhibition
The Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah (UM) Bandung successfully hosted an International Art and Craft Exhibition titled "Jejak Rasa: Collaboration Art and Craft to Empower Global Identity." Find out more The exhibition opened on Friday (May 2) at the KH Ahmad Dahlan Auditorium—located on the third floor of the UM Bandung building at Jalan Soekarno-Hatta No. 752, Bandung—coinciding with National Education Day. The event showcased artworks from the UM Bandung Textile and Fashion Craft program alongside contributions from several other Indonesian universities. The opening ceremony was attended by UM Bandung Rector Herry Suhardiyanto, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Irianti Usman, and a group of vocational high school (SMK) teachers from Malaysia. Saftiyaningsih Ken Atik, Head of the UM Bandung Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program, explained that the exhibition concept originated from visits by international guests and evolved into a platform for creative collaboration. "This exhibition represents a cross-border collaboration that brings together not only artworks but also cultural values ​​and identities. We want to emphasize that Indonesia possesses cultural richness capable of making its mark on the global stage," she said. She hopes the event will inspire concrete action from the university to preserve noble cultural values."As part of an Islamic Technopreneur University, we want these craft pieces to possess not only aesthetic value but also convey a message about who we are—a nation with deep cultural roots in an increasingly borderless world," explained Ken. The exhibition attracted the attention of teachers from eight vocational high schools (SMK) in Malaysia. They showed great enthusiasm for learning about craft arts and design. "Although they come from vocational schools, their passion for learning new things in the fields of craft and design is truly remarkable," Ken added. Meanwhile, Salbiah Binti Sanusi, Head of the Visual Arts Education Teacher Delegation from the Sepang District, Malaysia, expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and the organization of the exhibition at UM Bandung. "Praise be to God, the reception has been even better than during our previous visit. This 'Jejak Rasa' program has been a wonderful surprise for our group," said Salbiah. Salbiah also described the state of visual arts education in Malaysian schools. "For Forms 1 through 3, visual arts education is a compulsory subject. However, in Forms 4 and 5, it becomes an elective. Many students choose art without a genuine interest in it, so we have to work hard to help them appreciate the subject," she explained. She added that in Malaysia, visual arts are taught at a foundational level—covering both theory and practice, such as drawing and crowd art. "We only teach the basics; the hope is that they will achieve basic proficiency." Salbiah views this exhibition as an opportunity for collaboration between Malaysian schools and UM Bandung. "Hopefully, this isn't our last meeting, but rather a starting point. We have two religious-based schools where the students excel academically. Perhaps we can collaborate further down the line." A variety of colorful artworks were displayed at UM Bandung’s Selasar Gagas. These pieces successfully captivated visitors, including both university students and the general public. Many took the opportunity to capture the moment with selfies at the exhibition venue, which also served as an aesthetic photo spot. The exhibition opening also featured a fashion show accompanied by traditional *Rumpakasahita* music. Additionally, students from the Textile Craft and Fashion program performed the *Sampurasun* dance as a welcoming gesture. Delegates from Malaysia were invited to visit the Textile Craft and Fashion laboratory, where they viewed various artworks on display. This lively event took place from Friday to Tuesday (May 2–6). Artworks by lecturers and students from various other institutions were also exhibited during the event. These participants hailed from the Indonesian Institute of Arts and Culture (Bandung), the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (Denpasar, Padang Panjang, and Surakarta), the National Institute of Technology, the Jakarta Institute of Arts, the Indonesian College of Design, the Indonesia University of Education, Sebelas Maret University, and the Digital Technology University, as well as Paivi Punamaki from Scandinavia. The Malaysian teachers came from SAM Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, SMK Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, SMK Cyberjaya, SMK Dato Abu Bakar Baginda, SMK Pantai Sepang Putra, SMK Putra Perdana, SMK Sri Sepang, SMK Sungai Pelek, and SMK Sungai Rawang.
Crossing Creative Boundaries: 50 Artists from 8 Countries Showcase Craft Works at the ARMA Museum, Bali
The art exhibition titled "Prakriti – Pustaka – Padma 2026," held at the ARMA Museum, presents a captivating array of artworks that create a diverse and dynamic atmosphere. The exhibition space comes alive with a brilliant blend of two- and three-dimensional pieces. The displayed works offer more than just visual beauty; they invite visitors to experience the contrasting nuances between the grandeur of sculptures and ceramics, the delicate patterns of batik, and the vibrant expressions captured on canvas. This exhibition—featuring craft artists from various Indonesian art universities alongside international professionals—was officially opened by the Rector of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali, Prof. Dr. Kun Adnyana, with the ceremonial striking of a gong on Sunday, July 5, 2026.The opening ceremony was attended by ARMA Museum founder Anak Agung Rai, alongside renowned curators such as Jean Couteau, Warih Wisatsana, and Seriyoga Parta. The exhibition is scheduled to run until July 18, 2026. The event drew a host of distinguished guests, including representatives from the Gianyar Culture Office; the Deans and staff of the Faculty of Visual Arts and Design (FSRD) and the Faculty of Performing Arts (FSP) at ISI Bali; cultural figures, artists, and Balinese art maestros; museum and gallery owners; ISI Bali professors; and participating artists from both Indonesia and abroad. “The *Kriya Prakriti – Pustaka – Padma* exhibition is part of the 30th-anniversary celebrations of the ARMA Museum, which falls on June 9, 2026. The ARMA Museum is fully committed to presenting a wide range of programs spanning not only visual arts but also performing arts at local, national, and international levels,” stated the Organizing Committee Chair, Prof. Dr. Drs. I Wayan Suardana, M.Sn., in his report. For this year's exhibition program, the ARMA Museum has partnered with the Craft Study Program at ISI Bali to serve as the primary organizer of this international event. Showcasing a diverse range of media and artistic approaches, the exhibition highlights how contemporary craft is rapidly evolving through cross-boundary creativity. It also serves as a space for contemporary aesthetic exploration, driven by cross-cultural interactions that enrich the possibilities of artistic creation. This international-scale exhibition features artists from eight countries: the United States (USA), the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, India, Kenya, Iran, and Indonesia. In addition to professional artists, the exhibition is supported by academics and craft lecturers from various Indonesian higher education institutions—such as ISI Yogyakarta, ISI Surakarta, ISBI Bandung, Unesa Surabaya, the Indonesian Informatics Institute (IKADO) Surabaya, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, and Universitas Bumigora (West Nusa Tenggara)—as well as visual artist groups from Surabaya.
Ken Atik’s Textile Art Brings UM Bandung to the Global Art Appreciation Stage
A textile artwork from the creative studio of Universitas Muhammadiyah (UM) Bandung has now become part of the global art conversation. Through the work of Ken Atik, Head of the Textile and Fashion Craft (KTF) Study Program at UM Bandung, Indonesian traditional textiles are being showcased at the *Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma 2026* Exhibition—an international art event held at the ARMA Museum (Anak Agung Rai Museum of Art) in Ubud, Bali. This achievement marks a significant milestone, demonstrating that the work of UM Bandung academics can successfully reach the global stage of art appreciation. Ken Atik’s participation was not the result of a direct invitation but rather the outcome of a rigorous curatorial process organized by the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar. Through this selection process, she was chosen as one of the textile artists representing Indonesia alongside dozens of other artists from various countries. "I received an invitation from ISI Bali to participate in the *Prakriti* Exhibition following a curatorial process. Thankfully, my work was selected, allowing me to take part in this international exhibition as a textile artist," said Ken. For the event, Ken presented a textile piece measuring 110 x 225 centimeters that integrates various surface exploration techniques.Techniques such as batik, painting, art foiling, and tie-dye are combined on silk fabric using synthetic dyes, resulting in works that merge the rich textile traditions of the Indonesian archipelago with a contemporary fine art approach. Although the artist could not be present in Bali in person, the exhibited works represent the creative journey and academic identity that UM Bandung brings to the international stage. For Ken, each piece of fabric presented speaks of more than just aesthetics. It also reflects the processes of education, research, and community service cultivated within the campus environment. “This is a source of pride for UM Bandung, particularly the Textile and Fashion Craft Study Program. Our lecturers continue to be entrusted with participating in various international exhibitions. Hopefully, this serves as motivation for students to keep creating and to build professional character as artists or designers,” he said.According to him, the participation of lecturers in international art forums is part of the implementation of the *Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi* (the Three Pillars of Higher Education). The experience of exhibiting, engaging in dialogue, and networking with artists from around the world will enrich the classroom learning process while broadening students' horizons regarding global developments in art and design. The *Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma* 2026 exhibition was initiated by ISI Denpasar, with I Wayan Suardana serving as the organizing committee chair. It centers on three key concepts: *Prakriti* is interpreted as nature—the source of creative inspiration—while *Pustaka* represents knowledge passed down across generations.Meanwhile, the *Padma*—or lotus flower—symbolizes the growth of creativity through an ever-evolving artistic process. The event, inaugurated by ISI Bali Rector Kun Adnyana on July 5, 2026, serves as part of the ARMA Museum’s 30th-anniversary celebrations. The opening was attended by ARMA Museum founder Anak Agung Rai alongside curators Jean Couteau, Warih Wisatsana, and Seriyoga Parta, underscoring the exhibition's status as a significant venue for art appreciation in Asia. Fifty artists from eight countries—the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, India, Kenya, Iran, and Indonesia—are showcasing diverse works spanning sculpture, ceramics, batik, traditional fabrics, textiles, and contemporary art. The convergence of these various mediums and cultural backgrounds transforms the exhibition into a space for cross-national dialogue, demonstrating how art can bridge differences through a universal visual language. Ken Atik’s participation further highlights that UM Bandung produces not only academics active in teaching and research... ...but also artists capable of presenting creative ideas on the international stage. From the campus studio to global art galleries, the textile works presented serve as proof that Indonesian academic creativity continues to secure its place within the global art conversation. The *Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma* 2026 exhibition runs until July 18, 2026.