A daylong exploratory workshop with visual artist Marielle MacLeman introducing some of the techniques she uses with natural colour, including her developing interest in printmaking with natural inks. We will prepare a variety of tools from found materials and natural inks from concentrated dye baths to use for block printing and screen printing with paper stencils. We will use food waste, foraged plants, and dye extracts for our colour palette and experiment with a variety of mark-making techniques on reclaimed textiles. The intention is to develop a selection of fabric samples which can be used in your individual textile art projects.

You are welcome to supplement the materials provided by bringing your own pre-scoured or naturally dyed cloth (cotton/linen/silk). Please note that some techniques involve using sharp tools. We will not be dyeing fabric in the workshop, but the inks stain so please bring suitable workwear and a pair of rubber gloves.

Marielle MacLeman is a visual artist based in Galway. Her artworks combine craft and fine art processes with context-specific materials to interrogate their potential to produce meaning. Employing papermaking, printing, textile, and sculptural processes, she often uses materials on the brink of transformation or disposal to explore ideas of care and value and natural dyes to transmute the colours of site. Her recent solo presentations include Butler Gallery, Kunstverein Aughrim, and Etnografski Muzej Zagreb, with major group shows at BIEN 2025 in Slovenia, IMMA, CCA Derry-Londonderry, Regional Cultural Centre and VISUAL. Commissions include Douglas Hyde Gallery, Glenveagh Homes, Temple Bar Gallery + Studios for Dublin Art Book Fair 2022, Meta Dublin, TULCA’s UnSelfing Programme for Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture, Workhouse Union, Saolta Arts and WHAT. Her work is included in collections at University of Galway, Layer House Kranj, and the Arts Council Collection.

https://mariellemacleman.com/

Ages: 16+

The Sustainable Futures Summer School is kindly funded by Creative Ireland.