Natural dyes in Rwanda

Research based project which explores the full cycle of natural dyeing in the context of contemporary textile production in Rwanda. Currently, Rwanda's local textile market is based on imported fabrics. What is known as ‘african fabrics’ are designed mostly outside of africa. The aim of this project was to explore design possibilities in the field of textile while using local fabric, available techniques and the skills to support the identity of Rwanda's local culture. In Rwanda, there is no tradition of natural textile dying although the method does exist in the region's basketry crafts. The research surrounding this project was based on trial and error, where the team manipulated the processes and techniques used in basketry to comply with textiles. Work developed in collaboration with Eugenia Morpurgo, during the project Atelier Rwanda.

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2010
Commissioned by: Atelier Rwanda.
Collaborator: Eugenia Murporgo