Batik Art Engagement with Sarkasi Said

In 2019, Jamiyah Nursing Home (Darul Syifaa) leveraged on the WeCare Arts Fund, a scheme by the National Arts Council (NAC) and Community Development Councils (CDCs) in Singapore that supports collaborations between artists and Social Service Agencies (SSAs). Through the Fund, Jamiyah Nursing Home (Darul Syifaa) collaborated with Sarkasi Said, an internationally renowned batik painter who has been practising this form since 1970, to allow the residents to experience and explore this art form. They were introduced to the batik culture and learnt a new skill working with tjantings (A tjanting is a tool for putting wax onto cloth before it is dyed.), hot wax and various fabrics over the course of 8 weeks.

Let’s Grow @ JNH Orchid Garden

When COVID-19 hit the world, and Singapore exercised the Circuit Breaker in 2020, outings and visits for the residents were put on an immediate halt. The isolation and restriction measures that affected their physical and psychosocial well-being tremendously impacted the residents. Residents started showing signs of depression and emotional disturbance.

As such, Jamiyah Nursing Home (Darul Syifaa) collaborated with its community partner, the West Coast Community Club, to start creating an Orchid Garden within the compounds of the nursing home as part of its overall effort to provide good palliative care.