Burnished Indigo fabric is worked hard. It is bruised by hand, soaked, parched, closed, opened, attacked and rested; a beautiful, intriguing new chapter for a very old, almost ancient, thread. A dual personality. Tight buttoning unravels to unruly abandon. Opulent and ascetic. Serene, controlled and unfurled.
…read more about ‘Burnished Indigo Series’
BURNISHED INDIGO (Series of Objects, 2014- 2016)
A process first recorded in the 12th Century, where “Process” denotes a practical method. The creation of Burnished Indigo is more of a ritual of primitive alchemy. A ceremony where fabric is repeatedly submerged in indigo and catalysed with layers of egg white, ox or pig’s blood and potent fermented fruit juices. Numerous mythically mentioned ingredients were added. Throughout this balming the material is severely beaten with wooden mallets on top of smooth stones. It is placed under huge, smooth rocking stones. The result, the invocation of the rite, is a colour of hypnotic depth and elemental beauty. Indeed, the colour has atavistic significance. Revered in ancient Eastern civilization for it’s purifying and stabilizing effect on the soul. Indigo is referred to as the last colour. The colour of the infinite.
