Hey Maker! Event - Natural Dye Demonstration with Anne Leon.

 

Anne Leon will be doing a natural dye demonstration following our guest speaker Lamorna Cheeseman from Studio Naenna, Thailand. Join us at the Autumn Club in Murwillumbah, 7.00pm Thursday 11th April.

Time: 7.00 - 9.00pm
Where: The Autumn Club  
(next to Murwillumbah Library) 
 
Tickets: $18 - Bookings Essential
      BUY TICKETS ONLINE 

Anne is a print maker and textile artist living and working in Byron Bay. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in natural plant dying. Something I love about Anne is her warmth and generosity in sharing her vast knowledge. We met a few years ago at her studio in the Byron Industrial Estate, she was so generous with her time explaining how to dye wool with onion skins and then gave me a container of mordant to take way with me. This is a woman passionate about the ancient art of plant dying and keen to share.

“After years of plant-dyeing, this still hasn’t lost its magic for me, because although you can determine some of the outcome, you can’t control it completely. The result always surprises and that’s the magic of it. We set the scene for the magic to happen and literally unfold. Leaves do different things at different times of the year, under different weather conditions and sometimes changes occur for no apparent reason at all. Each time we unwrap it feels like being given a gift, and that’s why we love doing it”

The diversity of Anne’s work, from watercolours to fabric design, reflects a rich artistic career, spanning over 30 years. Anne utilises a wide variety of techniques in her work, including screen- and block-printing, painting, dyeing, batik. She has exhibited extensively in solo and group shows, within Australia, and has work in International private collections. The quality and versatility of her work have earned her numerous large commissions, from Interior designers, Architects, Couturiers, to Corporations, domestic and international.

As plant-dyers have done through the ages, Anne begins by gathering leaves and flowers from her local environment. She then prepares silk and wool cloths using a variety of folding, wrapping, clamping and tying techniques, sometimes pieces of plant material are pressed between layers to give patterned effects. Her most recent collection combines modern technology and traditional techniques to create exquisite plant-dyed wools and silks that areavailable as fabric, or are made into beautiful garments, wraps, throws and scarves.

You can see some of Anne’s work in collaboration with potter Lucy Vanstone. The exhibition “Waders, Cluckers & Hooters” is at the Wheel of Life Gallery in Brunswick Heads, 21 fingal st, on now untill April 20th.

Natural Dyeing - Guest Speaker and Demonstration - April 11th, Murwillumbah

International Guest Speaker:

Lamorna Cheeseman from Studio Naenna,

Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I met Lamorna at her Natural Textile studio back in 2004 when I was in the early stages of establishing “Oiko - Hand Dyed Textiles.” An ongoing working relationship and friendship was formed as Lamorna took on the role of Oiko’s production manager.

That day Lamorna showed me through the beautiful gardens of Studio Naenna which is in a rural setting on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, Thailand. These gardens host a variety of plants grown for the “Dye Vat”. As we walked around the garden Lamorna passionately explained the dye process and showed me the beautiful natural hues each plant would yield.

“The indigo dye vat will continue to yield dye for as long as the master dyer is attentive and carefully listens to the pot as it speaks to her. The changes in tone and rhythm of the gentle bubbling will tell the dyer if it needs more yoghurt or indigo.”

Studio Naenna was founded by Patricia Cheesman who is a close friend of Australian textile designer Jenny Kee and a lecturer in textiles at Chiang Mai University. Patricia has published several books sharing her vast knowledge of Sth East Asian textiles.

Studio Naenna is built on 25 years of ecological sustainability and fair trade ethics.

Their “Weavers for the Environment” come together from around Thailand to exchange knowledge of natural dye techniques. The studio is a place of inspiration helping women to realise their potential as income earners and respected members of their community. Master weaver Viroy Nanthapoom has taught over 40 young weavers in the silk ikat technique thus contributing to the preservation of traditional Thai weaving.

Our guest speaker Lamorna is Patricia’s daughter. Lamorna manages Studio Naenna and works alongside Patricia in design and development. The textiles are sold in their shop “Adorn” in Chiang Mai, to boutique spa hotels throughout Thailand as well as internationally. Lamorna also hosts workshops and takes textile groups on tour throughout South East Asia.

With both parents from England and having been brought up and schooled in Thailand, Lamorna has a foot firmly planted in the two worlds. She is immersed in Thai culture and language therefore able to offer us an intimate insight into the practices of Thai textile artisans.

I am so pleased that we can share the magic of Studio Naenna with you. After the talk we are in for a treat, Anne Leon will do a natural dye demonstration. You are welcome to bring along some natural yarn to throw in the dye pot. Can’t wait, it’s going to be a juicy night of inspiring textile creativity. Both Lamorna and Anne will  have a selection of beautiful hand made textiles for sale. An opportunity to buy mum a gift for mothers day, don’t you think?

When: Thursday April 11th

Time: 7.00 - 9.00pm
Where: The Autumn Club 
(next to Murwillumbah Library) 
Tickets: $18 - Bookings Essential
  BUY TICKETS ONLINE NOW 


Natural Dye Demonstration: 

Local artist Anne Leon 

Byron Bay  
(watch this space, more info on Anne to come)