Until 1854 all textile dyes came from the natural world. Trade in colour has led to commercialisation of some plants, the cochineal beetle, and a few types of sea snail. I have been exploring the range and potentials of plant dyes not for their commercial value, but for the lost, or at least at-risk, power they hold. In part this is about the knowledge of our forbearers, likely predominantly women. It is also about the threats of climate change and mass extinctions. Its about how overconsumption represents an overvaluing of ideas of beauty and has led to homogenisation for consumption.
Most plants will release their chromophores (colour molecules) to natural fibres, and many will fix, especially with the addition of the mineral that made the Medici family (the greatest patrons of the Italian Renaissance) richer than the Pope: alum. This preview exhibition features pieces indexing some of my favourite sources, pieces mapping ideas of the project, and some of the tools and notes I’ve made for myself as I develop this project.
I will be one of a dozen professional artists exhibiting in the main studio at Crediton Arts Centre from 10-2 25 May – 2 June 2024 at East St, Crediton EX17 3AX, UK. Additionally, a mix of professional and amateur artists will exhibit work produced in Arts centre classes in Studio 2.