Malaysian Cultural Exhibition „Batik-Manik“
Ouddhena Teern X Serena Chan
Öpik Conference Centre Lobby (Valukoja 8). Opening June 12 at 14.00. Exhibition will remain open until August 12.
On June 26 from 12.30-13.30 you can meet the artists and participate in a workshop.
Batik is a textile artistry made from wax-resist dyeing techniques. Manik meaning bead’ in the Malay language, brings delicate details to fruition. Together, they celebrate heritage through fabric and form.
Ouddhena Teern is a Malaysian-born multi-award-winning visual artist renowned for her expertise in mixed media Batik artistry. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree with a focus on humanities and world cultures. Celebrated for her innovative integration of traditional techniques into contemporary textile art, her work has earned recognition through prestigious awards and notable publications such as the Presidential Trophy for Innovative Batik artistry.
Ouddhena’s artistic journey began in the early 2000s with a foundational qualification in Textile and Fashion Design from the Malaysian Institute of Art. Her debut in a critically acclaimed regional exhibition sparked a lifelong dedication to creating contemporary and innovative works on textile as well as preserving Batik textile artistry as an invaluable form of oral and intangible cultural heritage.
As an artist, Ouddhena primarily expresses herself through Batik techniques and mixed media textile installations. Her work is characterized by intricate patterns, vibrant color palettes, and a fusion of traditional and contemporary motifs gathered from both her Motherland-Malaysia and her adopted Fatherland-Estonia.
She is a member of the Estonian Authors’ Association (EAÜ), the Estonian Textile Artists’ Association, and the Batik Guild. She has exhibited her work internationally and has long contributed to cultural integration and artistic preservation through talks and initiatives around the world; efforts she now continues in Tallinn.
Follow the artist on www.thewordyartist.com and IG @batiksuutra
Serena Chan is a Malaysian-born beadwork artisan who lives in Helsinki, Finland. She is an artisan who transforms traditional craftmanship into contemporary art, blending cultural story-telling with modern designs.
Her journey began with a deeply personal moment: inheriting her grandmother’s kebaya (a traditional garment worn by the Peranakan community) but without the traditional beaded shoes. Determined to complete this family heirloom, Serena mastered the intricate art of beaded shoemaking, sparking a deeper connection to her Malaysian roots.
Today, her practice involves thousands of beads applied by hand, with each piece requiring up to 40 hours of sewing. From footwear, her art expanded to include jewelry and decorative object, carrying her vision across everyday life. Committed to environmental sustainability, Serena often uses reclaimed materials, preserving both the earth and the histories they hold. Her creations are wearable art, cultural vessels, and heirlooms meant to bridge generations.
Every carefully placed bead contributes to a larger story of tradition reimagined for today’s world.
Serena’s work stands at the intersection of preservation and innovation, inviting wearers to become carriers of tradition.
Follow the artisan on IG @storybeading