New on THE KINDCRAFT
We're On the Road....
THE KINDCRAFT is trying the "divide and conquer" approach this week: Lauren is in New York City, USA preparing for our appearance at Renegade Craft Fair. Justin is in Kolkata, India attending Indigo Sutra, a conference bringing together some of the world's top scholars, academics and practitioners of natural indigo. In this issue of THE KINDCRAFT BRIEF, we've got a new photoessay about Indonesian Batik (and a new bandana to go with it) — plus our latest round-up of key readings on global culture and ethical design... hope you enjoy!
Photofile: Indonesian Batik
Contributor Sharon de Lyster partners with SukkhaCitta to take a visual journey through Java to profile local batik practitioners.
Events — North America
Renegade Craft Fair — New York Holiday Market
Just in time for holiday gift shopping, THE KINDCRAFT is back in NYC with lots of new, beautiful things for you to buy... and one more extra-special treat: Our friends from Kilomet109 will be bringing selected items from their new collection all the way from Vietnam. Don't miss this rare chance to see and feel all our products in-person! Booth #80 at Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (between 6th + 7th Aves.)
Product Spotlight
THE 'SOJOURNER' BANDANA
This naturally-dyed indigo bandana with hand-drawn batik was made in the mountain village of Jlamprang in Central Java, Indonesia. Silk-cotton blend. 19.7 x 19.7 inches (50 x 50 cm). Limited Supply.
Recommended Book
The Wild Dyer
In The Wild Dyer, Abigail Booth demystifies the 'magic' of natural dyeing and shows how to use the results to stunning effect in 15 exquisite patchwork and stitch projects, including a drawstring forager's bag, an apron, samplers, cushions and a reversible patchwork blanket. Focusing on how to grow or gather your own dyeing materials - from onion and avocado skins to chamomile and comfrey, nettles and acorns - as well as scouring, mordanting (using fixative) and setting up a dye vat, Abigail explains how to create effective dyes. And once you have them, how you can produce beautiful, contemporary textiles that can then be used to create projects that build on your skills.
Culture
8 Contemporary Artists You Should Know - Crafts Council
UK-based Crafts Council celebrates eight international makers and artists trying to create change and challenge perceptions through their creative practices.
Jingdezhen: The Heart and Soul of China’s Ceramics - Global Times
Jingdezhen has been synonymous with pottery production in China since the age of the Song Dynasty. Today, it's home to more than 30,000 people working in ceramics.
All About Weave: A New Show Threads Together Anni Albers’ Artistic Ambidexterity — Wallpaper* Magazine
"‘Touching Vision’ highlights Albers’ lifelong artistic ambidexterity, through a catalogue of examples taken from each of her ‘phases’. Linearly presented, and guided by Cirauqui’s steady hand, we see the queen of weaving’s singular modernist vision unfold across discipline, decade and timezone."
Mera Wala Blue: Investigating the History of Indigo — Architectural Digest India
Another timely piece about "The King of Dyes", featuring Indigo Sutra speaker Jesus Ciriza Larraona.
"Deep in a vat built few metres underground, the dark hue froths, foams and ferments. Inside its cavernous bottom, lies a colour. And a story as old as time itself. Indigo traces its roots way back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which cradled the first cities of the world."
Design
Second Nature: Five Designers Inspired By Plants — The Observer / The Guardian
Emma Love looks at how botanical illustration is becoming increasingly popular as part of a wider greenery trend. (We have a feeling that our friend Jessica Chen will enjoy this one...)
Cone Mills to Close White Oak Plant, Last American Selvedge Denim Mill — Heddels
The end of an era for American denim.
An Indian Designer is Turning Humble Handwoven Textiles Into Museum-Worthy Works Of Art
We love Sanjay Garg's Raw Mango project and can't wait to see these pieces in New York's MoMA. (Bonus Reading: Our profile of Sanjay is here.)
Sustainability + Labor
How Technology Is Shaping the Future of Sustainable Fashion — Fashionista
Whitney Bauck on why some of the most exciting developments in fashion aren't happening on the runway — they're happening in the lab.
Just 4% of What Australians Spend on Clothing Goes to Garment Workers
“Bumping up the price of clothing by just 1% would be enough to give garment workers a living wage, the analysis found. That is only 20 cents extra for a $20 t-shirt.”
Textile Industry Is “Far From Sustainable” States WWF — FashionUnited
“Doing ‘business as usual’ will not be an option for the industry nor for the planet in the long run. To stay financially successful, companies will find it necessary to reduce their environmental impact and to respect the ecological boundaries of our planet.”
Instagram Spotlight
Mann Craft
In honor of Indigo Sutra, this issue's featured Instagrammer is Mann Craft (Prach Niyomkar), an incredibly talented natural dye artist from Sakhon Nakhon, Thailand. One of the Wallpaper* artisans of the year, Mann is an advocate for—and researcher of— indigo and natural dyes and, as this composite photo he made at Indigo Sutra's exhibition shows, he's been finding lots of inspiration here in India.
Wrapping Up / Looking Ahead
That's a Wrap!
We're hard at work on a new maker profile which we think you'll love—coming very soon! If you enjoy what we do, please add your name to the list of wonderful people who support our coverage of independent makers around the globe. ❤️