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| Photo: @ard_hez Moodboard by Héctor Noguera |
Colour craft was considered
one of the most valuable crafts in Ancient times because colour was the most
expensive commodity there existed. Today this craft is largely neglected been
replaced by digital technology and synthetic alternatives.
Medieval Artists had to become masters in their
craft through practice, knowledge, and even pain in order to obtain the most
exotic hues and shades.
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| Photo: @ard_hez |
Colour craft may be defined
as the art of making colour such as dyes or pigments using authentic bio-colourants,
which can be used for various purposes such as printing, painting, dyeing,
cosmetics, food colouring and many other uses.
A bio-colourant is any natural
material in its raw state that imparts colour.
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| Photo: @ard_hez |
The past 24th of November, I developed a workshop at FIUHouse Barcelona, where participants made natural pigments using bio-colourants.
The main objective of the
workshop was to reconnect with matter on a soul level; understand the origin of
colour; experience colour with the senses and create unique coloured pieces.
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| Photo: @ard_hez |
It was very encouraging to see how
each of the participants dived within themselves while experimenting. There was an intimate connection between the maker/artist; matter and utensils used for extraction.
Each one
having their own perception about colour, which led to a unique output.
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| Photo: @ard_hez Work by Nuria Torello |
Everyone left their soul mark in each colour print; in the process of creating colours by hand; and the making of soulful pieces that cannot be replicated. Each participant was inspired during the hands-on approach, not being driven by the mind but by
their soul and heart.
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| Photo: @ard_hez Work by Estefanía Farias |
It can be said, more people are looking to
have an intimate connection with natural materials to stimulate their senses and also work with their hands.
This connection stimulates the brain and therefore generates well being.
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| Photo and work: @ard_hez |
There are not many natural materials that are available in nature that may be used as a bio-colourant for making blue. Throughout history, blue has been a problem for artists in a certain way.
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| Photo: @ard_hez Moodboard by Luca Brucculeri |
One of the materials that participants used for making blue was Azurite, which is considered to be the one of the first blue options in history.
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| Photo: @ard_hez Moodboard by Luca Brucculeri |
Azurite, which is a mineral
pigment was used as an alternative to expensive Ultramarine. It occurs in many
European locations particularly in Southern France, Germany and Hungary, used
in tempera and oil paint.
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| Photo: @ard_hez Moodboard by Carla Cascales |
‘Today the
science that produces colour is dominated by men in white coats’. (Bucklow,
2009)
Almost every natural pigment has been replaced by a
synthetic alternative manufactured in a lab. These pigments only survive in
their historical names, which commercial paint adopts to make modern mixtures
poetic.
Therefore, we want to bring these colours alive today.
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| Photo: @ard_hez Work by Lina Perdomo |
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| Photo: @ard_hez |
