Praejeen Kunawong

Color Library 1 and 2

Dialogue between natural dyes and weaving

Color Library 1 and 2 applies weave design to optimize the color range of naturally dyed yarns extracted from selected food byproducts. The dyed yarns were woven as color libraries to demonstrate new color values, saturations, shades, and tones with the effect of optical mixing, expressing a dialogue between natural dyes and weaving.

Color Library 1 and 2 studies the use of natural dyes as an alternative to conventional, often toxic synthetic dyes. Since the raw materials for dyeing need to be grown in high quantities for industrial use, a large amount of arable land, water usage, and pesticides are required. Hence, also natural dye has an ecological impact. This project uses bio-based food byproducts as raw materials for textile dyeing. The project maps possibilities for sustainable future collaborations between the food and textile industry.

Bio-colorants, dye colors from natural resources have a limited color variety. Kunawong studied weave structures and applied them in her design work to optimize the color range of naturally dyed yarns extracted from selected food byproducts. These were donated by food providers in Finland, and included pomegranate rinds, used coffee grounds, avocado pits and peels, and skins of red and yellow onions. For the outcome, Kunawong wove color libraries with 100% wool yarn. The new color values, saturations, shades, and tones were generated with the effect of optical mixing in weaves, expressing a dialogue between natural dyes and weaving.