Discover Delmarva Arts: Eric Jackson’s Batik

SALISBURY, Md. — These aren’t just paintings; they’re works of art made using fiber and natural resources from Maryland’s waterways. It’s called batik, and artist Eric Jackson does it with a unique approach that requires, patience, a steady hand, and a lot of research.

“He likes to cross ecology with artistry, and so he studies particularly migratory species and likes to put those in his work and the location of where he lives through the work that he does,” Curator at the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture Alexandra Kean said.

The Museum of Eastern Shore Cultures exhibit, Eric Jackson Anadroma: The Field Guide showcases his work, which speaks to the cultural heritage and the indigenous species of Maryland’s waterways.

“Whatever [animal] he is concentrating on, he works with that particular waterway, which is their habitat, to use those materials that help create the artwork. . . It [batik] uses wax resist as well as dyes and water. On many occasions, he obtains the water from the habitat of the specific bird or duck and implements that into the work to not only create the result artistically, but also tell the story of the subject being featured,” Curator Raye-Valion Gillette said.

He takes a more traditional approach to the art form — and when you enter the museum’s exhibit, you’re immediately drawn in by Jackson’s work, and enticed to learn more about it.

“I think lots of people are stunned by the scale of his work as well, as it’s not often you get to see some of these fish in that level of detail. . . As you get closer, learning that it’s batik and what goes into that and getting to read the signage that we have here in the museum, that explains that, I think it really floors people,” Kean said.

To learn more about the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture’s exhibits, visit https://www.museumofeasternshorecultureatsu.org/