Drumbilla

Culture & Context

For my collection “Forged in Nature” I was greatly inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. The idea that there is beauty to be found in imperfection and impermanence, appreciating life’s natural cycle of growth and decay.

My subject of focus is my grandad’s welding shed. The years of work his tools have seen is evident in the dents, scrapes and discolouration they bear. Even though the space was left mostly untouched for some years, nature has continued to grow within it, creating constant movement. This wear-and-tear and weathering gives great character to his workplace, and is the focal point of my designs.

“Forged in Nature” hosts a series of interior drapery fabrics made entirely from natural fibres, including paper and wool, and natural dyes. Each piece was created in a circular design process, and can eventually biodegrade and return to the earth as bio-nutrients or return to production as technical nutrients.

Process & Production

This piece is a double weave fabric, created using a block draft. Once woven, every second panel was cut vertically to reveal the fabric underneath.

The piece was also put through a wash cycle to felt the wool and shrink the piece. The piece is double sided.

Recipe Details

Materials include wool and paper. Dyes include Oak Gall and homemade iron water.