Earth Pigments

‘Earth Pigments’ represents ongoing material and technological research within natural textile dyeing and printing, utilizing mineral pigments sourced from diverse rocks and minerals in combination with a binder rich in protein. These rocks are found in the local environment, defining the color result by their geological origin. The pigments extracted from the rocks are mixed with a binder rich in protein obtained mainly from soybeans, either in raw form or as soy milk. This binder ensures the transfer and fixation of the pigments on the fabric while creating more saturated shades, not only on cellulose and animal fibers but also on polyester. Choosing natural dyeing is driven by the motivation to engage in a process often challenged by its unpredictability. It advocates for a change in the perception of textile materials and artifacts, as well as the role of a textile designer. This material research encourages us to learn to have no expectations while working with unknown materials and to accept changeability as one of their properties. This approach could, for example, extend the lifecycle of materials.