“Natural colour is living energy, not fixed to a single moment, it continuously evolves over its lifespan as it inhabits the textile fibre.
Growing a plant is entering a partnership with life and an investment in the future; a practice that began thousands of years ago when the first human thought to plant a seed.
Take the dye plant, Weld (Reseda luteola). It begins as a small rosette of leaves, and only in its second year grows into a tall flowering plant. During its flowering stage, it supports a diverse range of pollinators, while its root system contributes to the health of the surrounding soil, all the while being shaped by its environment.
In my co-creation with natural colour, I am invited to reflect on the duality of sensitivity and perseverance inherent in the natural world. It calls me to take time, to observe and to harmonise, not just with the textiles themselves, but with the broader context in which they exist.
Christine Teeling 