Pound fresh flowers and leaves to create colourful and detailed prints directly onto clothing and fabric.

Use fresh plant materials to extract colours from the natural world and bring new life to old pillowcases, stained t-shirts or create your own fabric artwork.

Participants are required to bring the following materials for the workshop:

1: a collection of light coloured/white clothing or fabrics in 100% natural cotton, linen or rayon for printing on. Smoother fabrics work better than heavily textured cloth.

2: a small collection of 5 - 10 fresh plants from your garden, choose flowers and leaves that are fresh and juicy. Plants like nasturtium, geranium, marigold, pansies are great as are many weeds. Be mindful and take only what you need.

3: optional - empty spray bottle for mordants

This session will be run by local artist and educator, Nicole Barakat, who works with deep listening and intuitive processes, with intentions to transform the conditions of everyday life. Nicole has worked as an educator in the arts for over 20 years, including lecturing in Fine Arts (textiles) at UNSW Art & Design (2003 – 2011) and working as an artist educator at the Art Gallery of NSW (2016 – 2018) and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (2013 – present).

Nicole learnt to dye cloth with plants twenty-five years ago, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee on Wiradjuri Country, under the guidance of Julie Montgarrett and Ruth Hadlow. Nicole has developed her dyeing practice in ethical and sensitive ways, in line with her cultural practices that are rooted in re-membering and re-gathering her ancestral knowing. In 2021, Nicole created a large-scale, collaborative eco-dyed artwork with the Rohingya Women’s Development Organisation for the Powerhouse Museum’s exhibition Eucalyptusdom.

This workshop will require sitting and working with a rubber mallet on the floor. Please bring a cushion or mat to sit on if you wish. There are some limited spaces to sit up and work.

Who: This workshop is provided free to residents of the Inner West local government area. This is presented by the Inner West Green Living Centre, an initiative of Inner West Council and as numbers are limited, the workshop gives preference to residents of Inner West Council area. Search by address at Find Your Local Council - Office of Local Government NSW website to find your local government area, if you're unsure. Proof of residential address will be required. Please join the waitlist if you live outside the area and we will let you know if a spot becomes available.

Accessibility: If you have any access or support requirements in order to participate fully please let us know. The site is accessible via paved pathways with a slight slope from street to buildings and contains an accessible toilet.

For any other questions email: greenlivingcentre@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or phone 0466 428 063