MR SAM KARUNA: DYETIK ARTIST

We have been privileged to have Mr.Sam Karuna with us in the past three years as the University of Malaya (UM) Resident Artist until 30th September 2015. During his tenure, he has kindly shared his indispensable expertise, talents and networking capabilities with us, which have facilitated the collaboration between the management of UM with a number of national and international Universities and Embassies.

During a talk by Australian artist (under the Petronas
Residency Programme 2015) at University Malaya Art Gallery. 

Mr Sam Karuna is an accomplished contemporary artist in Malaysia and his presence in UM have brought ample media attention. Through his 45 years’ of experience in various art mediums, he has carved a niche for himself in the Batik art world and is best known for his passion and dedication to the Batik art form. This has led him to blaze the trail in this field globally by his pioneering work and the invention of a novel fine art Batik form called ‘Dyetik’, a unique, highly complex and evolved form of Batik which synergises art and science. He has diligently promoted ‘Dyetik’ in Malaysia and abroad by conducting local and international exhibitions. He has taught and trained more than 13,000 thousand Malaysian and International art students at his Batik Fine Art Training Centre.
Besides his significant contribution to the art scene at the University of Malaya specifically and Malaysia in general, he has also helped restore numerous art pieces, including the rare paintings of the famous artists, the late Dato’ Ibrahim Hussein and Sadaya of Japan. Mr Sam Karuna is a skilled oil/acrylic/mural and batik paintings restorer and conservator. We are privileged to have had his kind contribution and expertise as it is indeed not easy to find an experienced artist with art restoration and conservation expertise.

During his term at the University of Malaya, he has shown great patience and dedication whilst training UM students and staff. He has conducted numerous in-house and public workshops and training sessions to promote Batik fine art to the younger generation. In
addition, he has successfully conducted Art Therapy courses for cancer survivors and volunteers under the University of Malaya KeepAble Program.

Mr Sam Karuna, during our trip to Mongolia, May 2015.

Mr Sam Karuna with Mongolian State University at 13th Country Dessert, Mongolia. With Dr Edzan and me.  

Mr Sam Karuna was instrumental in making the UNESCO Batik event held at the Dataran Merdeka on 24th May 2015 a great success. He has also made a positive impact during a batik workshop at the Mongolian State University of Fine Art and Culture from the 17th to 22nd May 2015 to which he was specially invited by Dr Uranchimeg Dorjsuren, the Dean of the Mongolian State University of Fine Art and Culture.

After the workshop, the said University then requested for him to develop a Batik Art curriculum. Mr Sam Karuna has also paved the way for University of Malaya to collaborate with Russia, India, Australia, Mexico, and Venezuela. The above are only some of the more tangible contribution of Mr Sam Karuna.


As a former colleague who is now a great friend, I wholeheartedly support Mr. Sam Karuna on his future endeavors to promote Batik fine art as one of the most important Malaysian Cultural Heritage.