Biomateriality Exhibition - Delmar Gallery 14 May - 12 June 2022

14 May – 12 June

Biomateriality brings together researchers, designers and artists who are pioneering biomaterials in Australia, embracing principles of regenerative design, cyclical economies and interspecies collaboration.

Joining a growing global movement, their research includes developing new materials such as seaweed-based polymers for 3D printing, biofoams and mycelium applications in the construction, packaging, design and textile industries.

This exhibition goes behind their studio and lab doors and reveals this research in progress, including material experiments, speculative design, prototypes and samples.  It will also include art installations that explore the new aesthetics and philosophical implications of this emerging field of design.

JOANNA FOWLES
KATH FRIES
FUNGI SOLUTIONS
MICOEDEN
PHILIPPA ABBOTT, EDWARD LINACRE, MATT WOODS, MYCELIUM STUDIOS
ALIA PARKER
JOSH RIESEL
STUDIO FLEK
SUSTINENT & ELLEN FERRIER
MONASH, RMIT AND SWINBURNE DESIGN STUDENTS WITH GYUNGJU CHYON, JOHN SADAR & CANHUI CHEN
NAHUM MCLEAN, KATE SCARDIFIELD AND ELLA WILLIAMS, MATERIAL ECOLOGIES LAB, UTS

Delmar Gallery

Exhibition opening: Saturday 14 May, 3 – 5pm
with artist & designer talks by Alia Parker, Josh Riesel and Kate Scardifield

Panel discussion: Sunday 22 May, 2.30pm
Panellists: Amanda Morglund, CEO, Fungi Solutions
Daniel Goldsmith, founding director, Micoeden
Nahum McLean, academic and biobased materials researcher, UTS
Free admission, registration required.

Register for panel discussion

Exhibition dates: 15 May – 12 June, 2022
Gallery hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 12-5pm. Free admission.

Tartan Mind Mend

My beautiful friend Sally, owner of Tartan asked me to contribute to her mind mend auction this November. The project asked Australian creatives to reimagine deadstock garments, samples and fabrics and respond in a circular waste reducing way to create reimagined pieces. This silk top was hand painted and dyed with madder root and can be purchased through the online action with 100% of proceeds going to mental health charities.

Natural dye workshop

Natural dye workshop - The School

Our new two-day intensive natural dye workshop was a great success. After months of preparation, the natural dye workshop was held at The School in Sydney. It is always such a joy to teach in such a beautiful space. More pictures of the workshop to follow.

Flore from The Flo Show, a talented photographer and film maker captured the two days beautifully.

Pic: Flo - The Flo Show

Plants as medicine

Eucalyptus results.

I am so pleased I made a super strong bath using the wonderful silver dollar. The result on the left is scoured organic cotton and the right is the same organic cotton but with a soy milk mordant (see previous posts) what a difference in colour so much stronger. 
My studio has smelt divine all day and my research via @dr_holistic_health informed me of some lovely facts about eucalyptus.

• Eucalyptus trees are originally from Australia.

• Whenever there is moisture in the air or after a rain, the air smells like a spa where ever there are eucalyptus trees.

• Eucalyptus properties are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and stimulating.

• Eucalyptus tea is good for congestion, stuffed up nose or sinuses.

• bathe in eucalyptus leaves and Epsom salt and the combo relieves body aches and pains.

• Eucalyptus essential oil can be rubbed on painful joints caused by arthritis.

• The oil Is insect repellent. soak the leaves with rosemary leaves in olive or coconut oil

• Eucalyptus essential oil is used to kill lice and fleas.

• Eucalyptus is strongly antiseptic and is a natural antibiotic that combats colds, flu, coughs, and lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Diffusing drops of eucalyptus oil or crunching up eucalyptus leaves in a pot of simmering (not boiling) water and then breathing in the steam is effective against lung diseases.

Great when hanging around Dye pots!

What a magical species. I am researching the health benefits of health giving herbs worn close to the skin I am sure the medicinal properties imbued in cloth could transfer to skin. Have any of you tried this? Have any of you felt different from wearing medicinal textiles close to skin to treat different conditions? I would love to hear your thoughts….