I was inspired to explore natural dyes from the Local Colour: Experiments in Nature exhibition at UNSW Galleries, “by steeping, printing, dyeing or painting, plants, barks, leaves, minerals, mud, sands, weeds and waste are used as a colour source”(1). Walking through this exhibition reminded me of a technique I completed in class many years ago, and I wanted to revisit these techniques within the ADAD course. I started with this technique in assessment 1 and found great success with eco-printing on water colour paper, however when I wanted to expand in assessment 2 to printing onto fabric I went through significant trial and error.
I’ve discovered through my online research that there are two main processes: steaming or boiling. When you steam your materials, the aim is to release pigment from the leaves you are using, usually by applying a mordant, in my case an iron solution, and tightly binding the leaves to fabric and steaming it for around 1-3 hours. The boiling method uses the leaves as a resistance, the fabric is bound with the leaves and boiled in dye leaving imprints. I have explored both methods with success and failure as I’ve documented on my blog. Using a method like eco-printing in which I had no formal training or prior understanding of the technicalities forced me as an artist to not merely follow other’s methods but discover my own outcomes and preferences.
I was forced to learn which steps I could just skip over, and others which if I did not commit the time and effort I would not get close to the results I desired. For example, when first using cotton I did not take the time to strip the fabric of any remaining oils or soaps, and my dyes were not effective at all. I skipped this step because I didn’t have any “washing soda” nor did I really know what it was. But the next time round I did my research and baked some baking soda in order to produce washing soda, and properly prep my fabric. Another example of this is my first attempt of using an iron mordant. I had only a very weak one as I was impatient, and merely dipped my leaves in it. I noticed only very subtle impact, so the next time around I waited a week for my mordant to strength, and then soaked the leaves overnight, producing a far more detailed and visible design.
Throughout each attempt I experimented with plant material from my own garden and beyond, learning about which leaves can hold up in boiling water, or which create the most detailed designs. Although some delicate leaves create great detail in steaming, when boiled they just fall apart and don’t provide any resistance.
I tried both using natural dyes such as avocado skins and red onion peels, but as I did not have time to properly investigate eco dying I resorted to using powdered dye as many websites recommended. I struggled to get the saturation balanced, I created too pigmentated of a solution resulted in a very dark outer layer, with only some of the inner layers getting dyed. I resolved this slightly by with my next batch watering the water down, which then allowed me to boil the bundle for longer, resulting in a more even coverage.
Once I had reached the end of my experimentation I wished for my audience to be able to view my outcomes in a simple but effective presentation. I wanted an installation space that allowed me to create some movement and life to the fabric, but also give opportunity for the audience to examine up close the details in the designs. I therefore chose to hang my pieces in a satellite room, where the ceiling fan could stimulate a gentle breeze and my audience could walk amongst the suspended fabric.
I intend for the final outcome of this assessment to a meditative work, something of peaceful contemplation and mindful examination of Australian flora.
(1) “UNSW Art & Design.” Local Colour: Experiments in Nature | UNSW Art & Design, www.artdesign.unsw.edu.au/unsw-galleries/local-colour-experiments-nature.
“Eco Printing Cotton - Madebybarb - Simple Method Botanical Printing.” Made By Barb, 5 Nov. 2017, www.madebybarb.com/2017/11/05/eco-printing-on-cotton/.
Instructables. “Eco-Printing With Rust & Vinegar.” Instructables.com, Instructables, 27 Oct. 2017, www.instructables.com/id/Eco-Printing-With-Rust-Vinegar/.
Kylie. “Eco Printing, A Beginners Step by Step Guide and Kit.” New Hobby Box, 12 June 2017, www.howto.newhobbybox.com/eco-printing/.
“Tutorials.” Threadborne, 25 Jan. 2016, www.wendyfe.wordpress.com/tutorial-leaf-monoprinting-by-cassandra-tondro/.
“UNSW Art & Design.” Local Colour: Experiments in Nature | UNSW Art & Design, www.artdesign.unsw.edu.au/unsw-galleries/local-colour-experiments-nature.
“UNSW Art & Design.” Local Colour: Experiments in Nature | UNSW Art & Design, www.artdesign.unsw.edu.au/unsw-galleries/local-colour-experiments-nature.
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