BOND - Biennale of Natural Dyes at the China National Silk Museum

1st Biennale of natural dyes at the China National Silk Museum”

1st Prize for Contemporary art using natural dye.

I am delighted to announce that the ‘Cochineal Felt Tapestry’ above was awarded first prize at the 1st Biennale of natural dyes (BOND) at The China National Silk Museum and has been purchased as part of the permanent collection. The Museum in Hangzhou opened in 1992 and is a Unesco world heritage site. It is one of the largest Textiles and Costume Museums in the world.

This piece was made during my initial residency at CaSa (Centro de las Artes de San Augustin) in Oaxaca. Working with their craftsmen was an honour for me as well as a source of learning and inspiration. I would like to thank Juan Carlos Calvi who made it possible and everyone at CaSa; Jesus, Roman, Trine, Sarah and the late Francisco Toledo who founded this magical environment of collective creativity.

My thanks also to Dr. Feng Zhao, Director of the China National Silk Museum and Chair of the 1st Biennale on Natural Dyes, to Dr Jian Liu and the organising team at the China National Silk Museum for bringing international expertise and focus to the fascinating history and revival of natural dyes.

Lastly thank you to Dr. Dominique Cardon (Directrice de Recherche émérite, CNRS, Lyon, France) co-chair of the first BOND for sharing her life’s work, extraodinary knowledge and passion that is such an inspiration to us.

Through this international event The China National Silk Museum is leading the way in inviting people to connect with the wonder of the natural world. I am looking forward to the next Biennale of natural dyes,