Bacteria

Primordial Pigments

Primordial Pigments is an exploration on how pigment-producing bacteria can be utilised in textile block printing. It was born out of an appreciation for the Arts and Crafts movement and a collaboration between living organism and designer. Designer Annelise Payne sourced and cultivated bacteria from the original William Morris textile workshops to conceptualise a fully microbial based colour palette to print textiles reminiscent of Morris' original patterns. The bacteria is grown into fabric, revealing colours and the final pattern over time. The outcomes offer a future-facing glimpse at how designers can use bacterial pigments to revive traditional Arts and Crafts practices while giving agency to living organisms as co-designers in textile block printing.

Making process

Pigment-producing bacteria were applied to block prints, stamped into silk soaked with food for the bacteria, and grown over a span of five days. In a process that provides equal agency to these living organisms, the bacteria multiply, spread, and develop over time to reveal colours and patterns on fabrics. Designer Annelise Payne initially directs the bacteria placement, but the final patterns and colours are very much dependent on the bacteria itself.

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.