I recently embarked on a textile journey, exploring fabrics and experimenting with dying techniques. I was drawn to indigo dying techniques and the connection that the plant has to the South, specifically South Carolina. The natural dying process allows me to play with pigments, folding techniques, textured fabrics and water, which result in organic pieces of art.
Cultivated by Eliza Lucas in the mid-1700’s, she succeeded in growing the plant on her father’s plantation in South Carolina. The deep-blue that was produced from the indigo plant was in high demand, making it one of South Carolina’s most profitable cash crops and changing the face of agriculture in the state.