Crystal Lee

Project Coal

Textile dyer

Nicky Loh©Michelangelofoundation

The natural dyeing poetess

Crystal uses natural material exclusively
She is a dyer
Each of her pieces has its own story related to mother nature

Project Coal saw the light when Crystal Lee was in England to further her fine arts studies from Lasalle College of Arts in 2013. She discovered the art of natural dyeing during a workshop, and fell in love with it. For years, she has explored and self-experimented with this craft. One day she was given the book 'The Wild Color’ by Jenny Dean, and started foraging leaves and berries in a garden. Today, dyeing materials naturally is a way for Crystal to thank mother nature, and establish a dialogue with her surroundings. She feels that her destiny put her on this path. Crystal has always been into art and creating with her hands, being passionate about handmade products. She is fascinated by the alchemy of natural dyeing.

Interview

Nicky Loh©Michelangelofoundation

Nicky Loh©Michelangelofoundation

How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: Natural dyeing is a craft that dates back to ancient times, before chemical dyes were invented. To carry on an age-old method to dye products and textiles in this modern world, and through this craft feel closer to mother nature are my objective.
How would you define what you do?: I am an artist and natural dyer. Most of the time I am dyeing textiles with natural and botanical pigments. I use the irregular beauty in each piece and then I get to witness natural pigments staining a piece of cloth: it is a fascinating process.
What was the first work you made?: I remember the first few pieces: I started dyeing silk scarves, with plants and pigments foraged from a garden. They were stained and dyed using the method of eco-printing, in which you first lay leaves and pigments down, and then steam them to allow the colours to seep into the cloth.
How did you choose your craft?: In truth, I feel that my destiny put me on this path. I have always been into art and creating with my hands, and encountering dyeing processes has given me a medium to practise my passion for the manual exercise of craftsmanship.

Crystal Lee is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2014