Joanna Fowles / Madder Squares Silk Top

Natural Dye Expert, Joanna Fowles experimented with three organic silk tops and madder root extract.

Tartan Mind Mend: Tell us about what you do that defines being a creative to you.
Joanna Fowles: A curious nature and a multitude of ideas with numerous possible iterations on those ideas.

Tartan Mind Mend: What creative pursuits, little rituals, or things to look forward to, helped you to keep going during lockdown?
Joanna Fowles: A cup of tea and notebook close at hand. I have notebooks all over the place. Nature is my inspiration and the source of where the colour in my work comes from. I try to pause before starting in the studio and spend as much time in nature as possible.

Tartan Mind Mend: Tell us about your re-imagined Tartan piece and what inspired you.
Joanna Fowles: Because my practice is solely based on colour from nature and colour can alter our mood and feelings I chose to work with dye extracted from the roots of the madder plant because of its beautiful intense vibrancy on silk. It almost glows. The madder plants hold many different colours: reds, oranges, pinks, purples and greys. Geometrics are a continual source of inspiration in my work and I printed and hand painted these onto the silk before dyeing the Tartan pieces in a madder dye bath.

TMM: How has the lockdown affected your creative process?
JF: More time in nature, more time to observe and not hurry around in a fragmented way. Noticing more about the plants and birds in my locality.

TMM: When the world opens back up, what is the first thing you would love to do?
JF: I have to be honest, I am coming back to it all slowly but my first trip back into the city was to pop into Poepke and visit the Eucalyptusdom exhibition at the Powerhouse.

100% Organic Silk
Natural dyes are living colour.
This Tartan piece is naturally dyed so a little more care is required.
Hand wash in warm water with just a little eco detergent.
Allow to dry naturally.
Chemical deodorants may cause discolouration so please be careful.

Sample Size 2/M

Due to the handmade/second hand nature of this item any imperfections are considered intentional and are unique characteristics of this one of a kind piece. Over time changes may occur. Handle with care. No exchanges or refunds are available for Tartan Mind Mend charity auction items.

@joannafowles
www.joannafowles.com