Founded by Jezima in her early twenties, Jez-Look Batiks is now 55 years into its pioneering work in batik artistry in southern Sri Lanka. Jezima, today 84, transformed her love of drawing and initial hobby engagement in batik, to a shared craft effort via the creative training & support for the economic independence of 16 women in her community that have made up her team over the years.

Jez-Look Batik is based out of Jezima’s Matara home on Yehiya Road since its inception, and from it she has created work that has travelled the world. She herself has showcased her designs in the US & UK, crafted linens and tapestries for an Italian boutique hotel, and been the essential collaborator to an Ibiza-based fashion designer for nearly 20 years. Leading south coast hotels send a stream of excited tourists to discover her work, and more recently she is gaining overdue renewed local interest via a pop-up shop in Colombo hosted by MFA and Selyn.

Of much pride to Jezima herself is that her work earned recognition from the late Queen Elizabeth, who sent Jezima several jubilee acknowledgements over the years, one which included a photo of the Queen in a Jez-Look scarf.

Her granddaughter Nourah has been training alongside her grandmother, and signals continuity & distinctness in her own work.