Born in Mali and raised between Mali and France, Aboubakar Fofana is a working textile artist and designer known for his work in fermented vegetal indigo and mineral mud-dyed textiles, and for his comprehensive workshops and lectures given on various dyestuffs and techniques. A true master of natural dyes, he specialises in the Grands Teints - the lightfast, washfast, colourfast and permanent natural dyes that formed the repertoire of natural dyers throughout the ages prior to the introduction of synthetic dyestuffs. His atelier is in Bamako, Mali, and he also has a farm in the southwest of Mali where he grows the two indigenous West African species of indigo-bearing plants he uses in his own work, as well as an extensive array of other dye plants and trees, fruit, vegetables and medicinal plants. 

Aboubakar's workshops are comprehensive, in-depth experiences which are deeply practical, using proper quantities of dyestuff and teaching the techniques necessary to get permanent, lightfast, evenly-dyed results. Aboubakar has collaborated for many years with interior decorators, fashion designers, tapestry weavers, and others as well as producing his eponymous line of naturally-dyed homewares and accessories, many of which feature handspun and handwoven Malian cotton, a textile he continues to champion. 

If you want to learn working techniques from a living master of natural dyes, these workshops are your opportunity!

Please click on this Instagram link (or on the instagram logo at the bottom of the welcome page) or go to his artist website to see more of Aboubakar's work.