Nature’s Cornucopia: Ancient Sources, New Technologies
- Date: Monday 13 January 2025, 09:00 – 17:00
- Location: Clothworkers Building Central and Link
- Interval: Every day
- Until: Friday 28 March 2025
- Cost: Free
The exhibition aims to present materials/works related to applications of natural dyes, from traditional techniques
The exhibition aims to present materials/works related to applications of natural dyes, from traditional techniques such as skein immersive dying, silk-screen printing, and stitch-resist dyeing to advanced digital printing methods and supercritical carbon dyeing.
It links to Colour4CRAFTS, a three-year research project funded by the European Union Research and Innovation Action’ Horizon-CL2-2022 Heritage-01-04 program, no. 101094809, which will conclude in June 2026. Colour4CRAFTS involves researchers, practitioners, and educators from the University of Helsinki, the University of Lapland, the University of Tartu, the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA), the University of Leeds, and PILI-Bio. The project is looking at the potential of bio-based textile colouration, bridging traditional methods with cutting-edge technologies such as biosynthesis and waterless dyeing applications.
The exhibition examines the connections between science and creative practices, highlighting their potential to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and innovation within the design, textile, and fashion industries. It highlights the impact of integrating traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology, which can contribute to a more sustainable future.
‘Nature’s Cornucopia: Ancient Sources, New Technologies’ invites us to imagine a world where ancient wisdom and technological innovation can coexist, leading to new perspectives.
Participants and people involved in the organisation and presentation of this exhibition: Susan Bamford, Dr Peter Broadbent, Dr Eirini Boukla, Professor Chris Carr, Dr Muriel Rigout, Professor Pammi Sinha, Dr Bintan Titisari (University of Leeds), Elizabeth Edwards (Manchester Metropolitan University), AO Textiles (London).
Materials: Textile works (displayed using the school’s frames, number of frames 4), testing (printed textile) samples displayed on wooden clipboards, prints, drawings, natural dyes, plant leaves, paper prints and labels accompanying the objects.