The process of making natural dyes and inks is slow and mindful, ideal for experimenting in our current strange time.

This online workshop invites you on a journey of wonder through overlooked organic materials such as food waste, weeds and spices.

The session is open to anyone who is curious.

The workshop focuses on learning the processes, rather than creating a finished item.

In this session:

• you will experiment with turmeric and avocado to learn the basics of dyes and the logic of inks,

• receive an overview of the natural dyeing process, from fabric preparation to the application of the dyes,

• learn different methods of pattern making and texture,

• explore how to make inks from dyes and investigate other seasonal colour recipes in our everyday surroundings,

• learn about extracting colour from spices and plant,

• think about colour fastness and pre-treating fabrics

About the Artist

Messua has been based in London since 2011. Her paintings think about temporality , and materiality. She emphasises the process, working with laborious and repetitive techniques.She is making her colour from natural ingredients such as plants, roots or fruits. She is currently undertaking a PhD at the Royal College of Art where she explores slowness through painting in the current context of acceleration. Her work has been seen in group shows throughout the U.K, such as the Jerwood Drawing Prize, Extimacy at the Copeland Gallery or Water is Wet at the Stanley Picker. But also, Internationally in France, Japan and Korea.

Website- http://messua-pw.squarespace.com/

Instagram- @messua_pw

The suggested donation is £10 for this event. Many thanks for your contribution to the work of Bell House.

Click here or see below for the equipment you will need:

• Stove

• 1 (or 2) pots or pans

• Avocado peels and pits (4 to 5) and/or turmeric

• Elastic band or string

• Washed Scrap Cotton fabric (ideally divided in between 3 to 4 pieces, roughly 20 x 15 cm)

• Sieve

Optional

• Old Mason Jar

• Gum Arabic (this helps with the viscosity of the natural inks but don't worry if you can't get any! Find it online here or in your local art shop.