In 1965, Seah Kim Joo learned the techniques of creating batik sarongs from the batik craftsmen of the East Coast. A mesmerising scene of a traditional village, featuring a beautiful damsel, coconut trees, birds, chickens and bull cart is finely illustrated here. The structure of the kampung house on stilts, and decorative batik patterns worn by the lady is produced with stunning detail. The artist enunciates various planes within the composition with a spectrum of purple and earth tones marked by the patterning of stripes, dots and floral motifs in wax. Seah Kim Joo actively produced paintings and sculptures in the 1960s and 1970s. He was recognised for the use of dye-and-resist batik technique when he won First prize for two consecutive years at the Malayan Federation Open Art Competition. His numerous solo exhibitions were held abroad in San Francisco, New York, and the Netherlands. He has participated in group exhibitions abroad, most notably at the Osaka World Exposition, Japan in 1970 where his acclaimed murals decorated the Singapore Pavilion. In 1972, one of his paintings was selected for the commemorative stamp series (an honour by the Singaporean government for his contribution to the art industry), to symbolise the early development of art in post-independent Singapore. His works are on display in the prestigious National Gallery Singapore.