Aboubakar's other great passion after indigo is the ancient Malian technique of mineral mud-dye, or Bogolanfini. This colour and light-fast process uses a naturally occurring tannin as a mordant which helps to fix the iron in the mud to the textile being dyed. It is a lovely, very tactile process, which can be used in a painterly fashion. Aboubakar uses it extensively in his work, drawing on his background as a professional calligrapher and graphic designer, to produce precise calligraphic imagery on cloth. Mud-dye can also be combined with indigo to produce stunning results, including deep and rich permanent blacks.

This three-day-long workshop will introduce participants to the principles of mineral mud-dyeing. They will be shown how to prepare the mordant and the mud as well as the textile to be dyed, and how to apply and fix the colour. This process lends itself beautifully to drawn or painted designs and so is a marvellous design technique for naturally-dyed patterning of textiles. After participants have become familiar with the principles and have experimented with samples, they will then work on a large project with Aboubakar's assistance.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be familiar with the techniques of this dye, and will have a small project that they will have completed during the workshop.
Aboubakar will be bringing out some organic handspun and handwoven Malian cotton which will be purchasable by the metre should you wish to use this for your final project. The dyestuffs used will be supplied. Tools and other things to bring will be addressed in an email sent out to confirmed participants.

CANCELLATION POLICY
All sales are final. This workshop is non-cancellable and non-refundable. We are not able to accommodate schedule changes, although you can gift your place to someone else if you are not able to attend. If you need to pay in two instalments, this can be arranged for any booking made up until the beginning of November. Please contact us via the contact form or email [email protected] to discuss.
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