Black Material Geographies - Episode 7
Natural Dyeing & Oakland Youth
In this episode of Black Material Geographies, Teju Adisa-Farrar speaks with
Karen Hampton, LA-born exhibiting textile artist
Grace Harris, natural dyer and earth worker, currently based in Oakland
Natural Dyes From Past to Present
The creation and uses of naturally dyed fabrics span across numerous continents and centuries. These indigenous practices are now being reclaimed by descendants of these lineages.
Karen shares her how start in natural dyeing began with gathering ingredients like onion skins and berries from the supermarket in the 1970s
Karen recounts that in the 70s and 80s, academia and the economy were against natural dyeing, claiming that mordant usage in the process was more harmful than chemical dyes.
There are roughly 41 plants that naturally produce indigo, and we also learn that the oldest indigo dyed cloth is about 4,000 years old from Peru.
Grace’s intention is two form a genuine relationship with both the earth and the plants she extracts as she discusses her methods in earth working.
A change in how we interact with the land is needed to combat the harm both the industrial revolution and current fast fashion culture has caused the environment.
Grace encourages that the act of slowing down is hugely beneficial to creating thoughtful art in all mediums.
Karen and Grace share parallels in their work as they both worked with the youth living in Oakland, and discuss with Teju the importance of having these spaces to help shape the future.