New Exhibition

Ṣibghatallah

October 1st - 31st.

Rall Gallery

Doane University Crete, Nebraska

 Because of its meditative and highly intentional nature, batik has, in many cultures, been associated with spiritual practice. The act of preserving, revealing and layering,  becomes more than a technical process—it becomes a metaphor for creation and transformation.

 Joseph's coat of many colors is traditionally described as a complex and richly colored garment. The Biblical story evokes the possibility of color being created not simply through surface application, but through an intricate process of dying textiles, the materials are transformed to new colors and hues.

This process also recalls the Qur'anic phrase Ṣibghatallah in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:138): “The dye of God—and who is better than God in imparting color?” Here, dye becomes a metaphor for spiritual transformation—the way faith can permeate the human heart and permanently alter the person from within.

In this exhibition, each work carries its own story, but the process itself is the central theme. Wax resists, dye penetrates and layers accumulate. What is concealed is eventually revealed.

The works are therefore not simply images made through batik; they are records of transformation. Each piece embodies the patience, chance, resistance, and revelation inherent in the process. The resulting surfaces invite contemplation of how material, color, and time can become vessels for transformation—both physical and spiritual.

Admission is Free

Gallery Hours:

 Monday - Thursday  8:00 am to 11:00 pm 

Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 

Saturday 1:00 - 5:00 pm  

(Fall break 8th 9th of Octobers 5:00pm - 11:00pm)

Closing Reception October 29th 4:30 - 6:00 pm