Workshop 1 – Indigo Dyeing Workshop
22nd - 24th May
Indigo is one of the oldest
and most magical of all the natural dyes.
It is the colour of the sky and the sea, and in many cultures
indigo-dyed cloth was considered sacred and precious. As we become more and
more conscious of what we wear and where it comes from, plant-based,
non-chemical indigo dye is experiencing resurgence. This dyestuff is Aboubakar
Fofana's particular passion, and he has a vast store of knowledge on its
provenance, usage, and of course, practical applications.
This workshop focuses on
powdered indigo and setting up a fructose vat using entirely non-chemical and
environmentally (and skin!) friendly techniques. Unlike indigo leaves, powdered indigo is
quite easy to source, and the fructose vat is also relatively straightforward
to put together and to use. This
workshop will explain the unique chemistry of indigo, principles of setting up
and caring for a fructose vat, as well as choice and preparation of the textile
to be dyed. Over three days, participants will be shown how to prepare powdered
indigo and how to set up the dye-vat, dye a set of samples, and work on a
larger project with Aboubakar's assistance.
This workshop will also
include an introduction to simple shibori and resist-patterning techniques
which are suitable for use with indigo.
Participants will come away with enough knowledge to set up their own
vats and start working with indigo, as well as a deeper understanding of how
indigo works and how to achieve the best colour-fast, light-fast and even results with this ancient and singular
dye-stuff.
All sample materials and
dye-stuffs will be included in the cost, but participants will need to bring
their own small project to work on.
Details will be sent out – however Aboubakar will have some hand spun
and hand-woven organic Malian cotton available for purchase, and we are also
hoping to make small quantities of suitable shawl-lengths available for
participants.
*Please note: fructose indigo is not the same as fermented
vegetable indigo. The fermented process
is much longer and very much more difficult, and it requires constant heat and
attention. It's not really a suitable
technique for anywhere where the temperature drops below 30 degrees. We will be running fermented vegetable indigo
workshops in Byron Bay and/or the Brisbane area during the 2015-16 summer –
please email to go on the mailing list if you are not already.
These
workshops will take place at the studio of textile artist Jude Craig – in Upwey
at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges.
This
workshop costs $550.
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