WILD INK!
Make ink with foraged materials: a workshop with Caroline Ross, 4 November 2019
In November 2019, we’re starting a new collaboration with our friends at SAKUM (Samhälle, Kultur, Människor) here in Västerås.
Join us for a hands-on workshop with British artist Caroline Ross, learning to make ink from plants, berries, and other materials that can be found around the city. This is an evening for people of all ages and levels of experience, whether or not you call yourself an artist.
Caroline lives and works on an island on the River Thames, making drawings and paintings from wild and ancient materials. Although she trained as an artist for many years, throughout most of her art school education there was no mention of the craft of making art. The materials she learned to use were something that came from an art supply shop, with no thought as to where all those dried up plastic pens would go after they had been used.
But it is only in the past 200 years that coal and oil-based chemicals have provided the world of colours and tools that today’s art students take for granted. For 50,000 years before that, humans had been making art materials from earth, minerals and plants — and it is these older traditions which Caroline invites us to learn from.
Caroline’s own study of bushcraft, ‘primitive technologies’, earth skills, early and pre-Renaissance art techniques led her into a new way of working, reskilling and rewilding her artistic practice. Since 2016, she has been bringing her ‘shadow-making basket’ of materials and skills to share with others at festivals, workshops and courses.
On 4 November 2019, Caroline joins us for a workshop at Länsbildningsförbundet, Stora Gatan 16, Västerås from 18.00–20.30. In the course of the evening, you will have the chance to try making ink, quills and brushes, as well as ochre paint.
Tickets cost 100kr and places are limited. To book yours, please contact info.sakum@gmail.com.
Bring (some of) your own supplies: Participants are asked to bring two clean glass jars — as well as any wild edible berries or dried colourful petals that you would like to try using in making ink. Other materials will be provided.
Caroline’s work: https://carolineross.co.uk/
SAKUM: https://www.facebook.com/sakumvasteras
A school called HOME: https://aschoolcalledhome.org
PRICE: 100kr
