Ten years ago, in a bid to reduce waste, I began experimenting with dye

plants to make art materials. I realised how little I knew about the natural

environment I had grown up in.

Using natural materials for art has become my gateway to understanding

the environment. A question such as ‘will this plant produce a true dye’ is

the start of a path (with many detours) that can involve science, history,

ecology, new and traditional techniques, lots of patience, and embracing

unexpected results.

Creating art using this knowledge is how I remember what I learn.

Riverbend Botanic is my studio - wherever I find myself - where I

experiment, learn, create, and to promote using natural art materials to

connect and understand the nature around us.

The panels here are inspired by Bojagi, the Korean patchwork technique

I read about while researching Asian dye plants. The use of some raw

edge patchwork reminds me that knowledge is not something with neat

edges securely sewn up; knowledge is never complete.