
Somé: Dyeing the Australian Environment
By Melinda Heal
August 15 – September 17, 2016
Somé: Dyeing the Australian Environment adds a uniquely Australian twist to the quintessentially Japanese textile practice of katazome and yuzen.
Textile artist Melinda Heal reflects the beauty of the Australian environment through the Japanese dyeing traditions of katazome and yuzen. Somé depicts Japanese sensibilities in capturing the gentle and rustic beauty of nature, with a hint of playfulness in its unlikely subjects—cockatoos, gumtrees, eucalypts and other native Australian species. Heal hand-dyes detailed designs on silk, cotton, linen and hemp textiles, capturing the strength and fragility of the bush.
Katazome and yuzen are centuries-old resist-dye techniques for both fabric and paper which originated in Japan. They are often used to produce exquisite patterns found on kimono and yukata (summer kimono).
Presented by
EXHIBITION DETAILS
VENUE
The Japan Foundation, Sydney
Level 4, Central Park (Access via lifts)
28 Broadway
Chippendale NSW 2008
GALLERY HOURS
Mon-Thu: 10am-8pm
Fri: 10am-6pm
Select Sat (20 Aug; 10, 17 Sep): 10am-3pm
Closed Sundays and Public Holidays
ADMISSION
Free
ENQUIRIES
(02) 8239 0055
HEADER PHOTO CREDIT
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos, 2012, yuzen and katazome on hakusan tsumugi silk folding screen © Melinda Heal