Shades of Indigo with Aboubakar Fofana

ACTIVITY

In this indigo workshop, Aboubakar Fofana focuses on powdered indigo and setting up a fructose vat. He will teach us to use environmentally friendly techniques and how careful preparation results in a deep beautiful vat, ready for dipping. This workshop will explain the unique chemistry of indigo and principles of setting up and caring for a vat. The workshop will include several large indigo vats of different strengths to achieve different tones. Instruction on the basics of dipping a gradation of hues will be covered.

Over three days, Aboubakar shows participants how to prepare powdered indigo and how to set up the dye vat. Participants will then dye a set of color gradation samples with Aboubakar’s assistance. Participants will come away with the knowledge to create and maintain their own vats and start working with indigo. They will learn how to achieve the best results with this ancient and singular dye-stuff, from a true master artist.

LOCATION

The Dye Garden is located on the Brooklyn Campus of the Pratt Institute. The garden offers workshops to Pratt Institute and the surrounding community educating on the sustainable and integrative process of natural dyes.

Recognizing the Indigenous knowledge these dyes are based on is central to the garden’s identity, as is an acknowledgement that the garden is built on Lenapehoking territory.

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to use this beautiful outdoor space situated in the heart of Brooklyn for this retreat.

You can read more about the dye garden project here: https://textiledyegarden.pratt.edu/.