Services


Material-led approaches for projects, spaces and story

Bespoke plant-dyed textiles, natural dye palettes and art materials for film, theatre and TV, and for community art and heritage projects across the UK.

Working with plant, mineral and earth-based processes to develop bespoke outcomes across textile, object, space and image.


APPROACH


Each project begins with material.

Colour is developed in response to:
  • landscape
  • locality
  • narrative
  • season

Pigments, dyes and materials are selected or created to align with place and purpose - whether for performance, installation, textile or screen.


BESPOKE MATERIALS


Development of custom pigments, inks, dyes and art materials for specific projects.

This may include:
  • sourcing colour from local plants or earth
  • working with waste streams (such as brick, ash, organic matter)
  • producing materials aligned to historical or site-specific palettes

Where needed, additional pigments are sourced through trusted suppliers with strong traceability and material data.


TEXTILE & DYE WORK

Natural dyeing for cloth, set, costume, installation and spatial work.

Working across fibre and form - from cloth and fleece to rope, yarn and found materials - with colour developed through plant-based processes.

Natural fibres such as wool, silk, linen, hemp and cotton are most commonly used, alongside selected regenerative and plant-derived materials.

Plant matter is grown, gathered or responsibly sourced, working seasonally and in response to place.

Each piece carries variation, depth and the trace of process.

This extends to personal and ceremonial textiles, including plant-dyed woollen shrouds.


PERFORMANCE, FILM & INSTALLATION


Material development for set, costume and spatial environments.

Embedding narrative into surface and structure - where material is not decorative, but part of the storytelling.

Experience across performance design, film and site-based work.


COLLABORATION


Open to working with:
  • artists
  • designers
  • production teams
  • galleries and institutions
  • schools and community groups

Projects can range from small-scale material development to larger collaborative builds and installations.


All work is developed through a low-toxicity, small-batch approach, with sensitivity to material sourcing, process and environmental impact.

Projects often begin with a conversation - shared references, colour palettes or a sense of place.


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CONSULTANCY & ADVISORY

Material guidance for projects in development.

Offering one-to-one support for artists, designers, students and organisations working with natural dyes, pigments and low-toxicity material processes.

This may include:
  • developing a focused material approach within a set timeframe
  • advice on dye processes, fabric preparation and colour outcomes
  • working with locally available or site-responsive materials
  • troubleshooting process, scale or feasibility
  • guidance on integrating material into concept, narrative or installation

Sessions are conversational and responsive - supporting both practical making and the wider thinking around material, ecology and place.

Available as short advisory sessions or ongoing project support.

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Natural Dye & Material Studio | Art, Design, Stage and Screen | Workshops & Commissions, UK ©GEM Eco Studio 2026