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Painting with homemade Haldi (turmeric) paint
Since I was a child I have drawn and doodled Paisley patterns, just thinking they were a nice design to draw. Through my research I now know that during the British colonisation of India, the motif was appropriated in the town of Paisley and printed onto cashmere shawls. The design dates back at least 2000 years, and was likely based on the shape of a Cypress tree. Today it's everywhere. My heritage is partially Scottish, my husband is Scottish; because of this I felt a connection to the pattern in a more meaningful way.
I was given the idea to try and make my own fabric dyes or paints using the spices I would use to make curry. The turmeric, or what I call haldi, worked best. Using the haldi paint I tried working big, painting a large paisley and floral patterns on A1 paper, and smaller ones on fabric. Finding that the haldi paint stained fabric really well I painted a large piece of fabric.
I had the idea to paint on clothing and came across a small child’s south Asian suit. I painted it free hand, using all my research into patterns and motifs as inspiration. I then decided I wanted to paint something I could wear. I found this white dress that I felt was a intriguing mix of contemporary and historical, British and South Asian - the back in particular reminds me of a sari blouse and Lehenga skirt.
Since I was a child I have drawn and doodled Paisley patterns, just thinking they were a nice design to draw. Through my research I now know that during the British colonisation of India, the motif was appropriated in the town of Paisley and printed onto cashmere shawls. The design dates back at least 2000 years, and was likely based on the shape of a Cypress tree. Today it's everywhere. My heritage is partially Scottish, my husband is Scottish; because of this I felt a connection to the pattern in a more meaningful way.
I was given the idea to try and make my own fabric dyes or paints using the spices I would use to make curry. The turmeric, or what I call haldi, worked best. Using the haldi paint I tried working big, painting a large paisley and floral patterns on A1 paper, and smaller ones on fabric. Finding that the haldi paint stained fabric really well I painted a large piece of fabric.
I had the idea to paint on clothing and came across a small child’s south Asian suit. I painted it free hand, using all my research into patterns and motifs as inspiration. I then decided I wanted to paint something I could wear. I found this white dress that I felt was a intriguing mix of contemporary and historical, British and South Asian - the back in particular reminds me of a sari blouse and Lehenga skirt.
