I wrote a post about WonderWoman Isabel Hofmeyr and her exhibition entitled Gasp at 54 Valley Rd held in October 2023. That post focused on the bookbrush technique rather than the eco-printed works which are just as utterly bloody marvellous.
What is eco-printing?
It is a technique where plant material (leaves or flowers) is bundled into a cloth which is then steamed or boiled to release the plant dye, so creating a contact print on the cloth. These mesmerizing pieces by Isabel below, shown at the exhibition Gasp in 2023, were made by eco-printing:
While the title Gasp clearly refers to the poignant suggestion of the last signs of life, for me it also suggests the wonderment when “the big reveal” happens (see below) at the time of unfolding the fabric revealing the extraordinary images that are produced.
Eco-printing workshop with Isabel Hofmeyr at Bronwen Findlay’s studio
So when I heard Isabel was running a workshop on eco-printing, I rushed to be signed up. Held at the wonderfully quirky home and studio of artist Bronwen Findlay (for another post), this afternoon of making was food for the soul.
The process
Being Isabel, we were given very specific and helpful instructions including not just the kinds of leaves that work well for eco-printing, but also the precise locations of the trees in and around the suburbs. Off I went hunting for eucalyptus cineria (silver dollar) – in the nearby Hugh Wyndham Park; the eucalyptus sideroxylon (black iron bark) – hanging over the fence of the Parkview golf course; and a rhus/karee around the corner from Liz at Lancaster. I left the red or brown onion skins, prunus, pomegranate and Japanese maple for others in the group to find and bring.
Next was the fabric – it had to be natural fabric. For me it as a longish piece of raw cream silk. We then soaked our fabric in the container of mordant and wrung out the excess liquid. Laying out our fabric on a piece of plastic sheeting which works as a barrier, we arranged our leaves in a pretty composition, before rolling it all up and tying it with string ‘tight, tight, tight’, and wrapping it in some plastic. And then we steamed them … yes in huge big pots of boiling water. And while we waited … we enjoyed tea and coffee along with the most delicious tarts, sandwiches, cakes, biscutis, dips … which this group of wonderful women had made, baked, bought, brought.
Expectation and the moment of truth – “The big reveal”
This was a fabulous workshop with generous supportive co-creators, a great venue, delicious eats, a warm early summer day in a gently shaded courtyard, and, of course wondrous results and unexpected surprises as we unfolded our steaming bundles of fabrics. Thank you Isabel, Bronwen, and all the fellow workshoppers – a truly memorable afternoon.