ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

In this one day, introductory workshop, Helen Coleman will guide you through the process of extracting colours from locally sourced, sustainably harvested plant materials, to create your own natural inks. Techniques that will be explored include extraction of pigments with water and alcohol, colour range extension using mordants and modifiers, record-keeping and lightfast testing. Students will have time to explore the artistic potential of natural inks, creating test swatches then manipulating the inks to create their own unique layered artworks. All materials are supplied and students will take home workshop notes, small ink samples and artworks created during the workshop.

ABOUT HELEN COLEMAN

Helen Coleman is a contemporary colourwoman, with an art practice devoted to process and experimentation. In 2018 she completed a two-year residency at Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah, where she combined her background in botany and chemistry with a passion for art, to explore the eco-dye potential of Western Australia's endemic plants. This residency culminated in her first solo exhibition, Windfall : Chemistry of the Dye Pot. Now based in her Dye Pot Studio, Helen continues to research the colours of the earth and plants around her. She facilitates natural pigments workshops across Australia and collaborates with artists, combining scientific and creative processes to explore new ways of working with local pigments. In 2022 Helen commenced PhD research at Curtin University, to take a deep dive into the chemistry and dye potential of the iconic Corymbia calophylla kino (marri gum).

PRESENTED AS PART OF CLOSET OF THE ANTHROPOCENE

This workshop is held as part of the annual eco-fashion week, EFWA (Eco Fashion Week Australia).

EFWA is an artist-run initiative and founded by Perth/WA based Visual artist Zuhal Kuvan-Mills. EFWA is for everyone, features fashion art runway shows, exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, seminars as well as Anita Moon Award of Excellence, Upcycle Challenge and present student designer shows by collaborating with educational establishments. The theme this year is ‘Closet of the The Anthropocene', where designers will explore current environmental issues with a focus on creativity, innovation, sustainability and education.

In a world where fashion excess and hyper consumption dominate the scene, EFWA launched in 2017 and quickly became the largest eco fashion week in the world in terms of length, number of eco designers and events which were powered by local community and volunteers.

EFWA offers traditional runway shows to support and provide a platform for established, emerging and student eco fashion designers, as well as seminars, workshops and events, held in partnership with several conservation organizations, international and national industry experts specialized in sustainability with the aim of educating the public about the importance of sustainability and slow fashion.

For more information about EFWA24 go to: https://www.ecofashionweekaust

Introduction to Natural Inks with Helen Coleman

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