How can the use of natural colour be truly sustainable?
New Natural /01
New Natural explores and questions the perception of natural colour and its application in contemporary print and material exploration. The project focuses on heritage craft techniques working alongside new, non-traditional dye and print approaches.
New Natural explores and questions the perception of natural colour and its application in contemporary print and material exploration. The project focuses on heritage craft techniques working alongside new, non-traditional dye and print approaches.
Locally sourced madder, one of the oldest and most commonly used traditional natural dye sources, is used in combination with foraged blackberry and plant-based bio mordants to create a range of contemporary printed material samples. ‘Low heat, no heat’ and ‘non-waste dye’ approaches were applied in both print and dye processes.
Notions of permanent and transient colour were explored through a play between these two colours. Low impact print methods are used to explore layering and trapping of colour and to create ‘evolving’ patterns in which time and light play a key factor in the transformation of the print.
Further project information
Fabric and material prototypes were exhibited at Some Like it Hot – Lethaby Gallery, London
Audejas for wool sponsorship 100% recycled wool R(e)volve
