DYE
STUDIO PROJECT
This studio paper examined ihi and wehi, complimentary Maori terms that are associated with emotional and psychological behaviour; ihi can be described as an individual's charisma, power or charm, emanated through a creative process. Wehi, on the other hand, refers to the internalised feelings that occur in response to ihi, sometimes referred to as awe or dread. In this project's context, wehi was taken to mean the emotional response on the part of the observer. It questioned me to think about how my work made me feel, and how the work of others affects me.
Using this framework, this project required the explorations into sustainable dye methods, both acid and natural. Deeper understanding of colour theory, dye methods, traditional theory and modern colour trend forecasting also informed the learning process. Traditional mark-making techniques, which combined precision and chance, created space to produce evocative contemporary textiles.
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For both acid and natural dye, I was to produce four final dyed samples, then progress this forward into a final length of fabric that had an end use or could be visualised within one.
"HARMONY" | ACID DYE
"ALOHA" | NATURAL DYE
This second half of this brief provided room to explore natural dye, and to gain insight into a more sustainable way of colouring fabric. I chose to work with spices, in particular turmeric, and explored how water temperature, amount of turmeric and other factors produced different outcomes.
I was inspired by the shibori resist stitching technique, which I chose to use across my final samples and final length of dyed merino.
