Friday Favorites: Indigo

This Friday, I am going to share a little bit about my favorite color, Indigo. Indigo, is not just a beautiful color,  it also has a rich history. From trade, to cultural significance, and dying techniques, it is truly a color at has roots across the globe. It is no surprise why I often use this color in design and in my art. 

A Little BAckground

Indigo comes from plants in the genus Indigofera. The color is made from the leaves to create natural dyes. The dyes are made by mixing a variety of indigo plant leaves and fermenting the leaves with caustic soda or sodium hydrosulfite. During the process, the dye will turn from yellow, to green, and then to a deep blue. Natural indigo dye, has more color variation than the many synthetic variations used today. 
The use of indigo dates back to the Neolithic age and has been found in archaeological sites in Egypt, India, and China, dating back to 4000 BC. 
In 1897, German chemist Adolf von Baeyer, synthesized the color, making a more affordable option. 

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Trade

Unfortunately, you can't discuss the significance of Indigo, without exploring the dark history of its connection to slavery. The cultivation and trade of Indigo played a huge role in the use of slavery in nearly every place is was grown and made. However, with that came a rich history of dyeing techniques, cultural significance, and symbolism. From Africa, India, Japan, and even the Americas, every place developed techniques textiles that are truly beautifully unique and culturally significant. Like a phoenix, rising through the ashes, indigo dyes rose from a darkness creating a path of beauty, richness, and eventually freedom. 

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Indigo Textiles Across the Globe

Indigo dyes are used throughout the world. In every place you see the use of indigo, you discover the unique ways it is used to create patterns in textiles. 

Africa

Every tribe, place, and country in Africa has a different way of using Indigo dyes to make beautiful textiles and designs. The designs are often symbolic and the techniques are passed down through generations. 

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The Americas

From Central to North America, Indigo can be found in textile design beginning in the 1700's. Just like the rest of the places it is found, the designs made from indigo dyed fabric and woven on looms are filled with the richness of the cultures that use them. Even the original American Flag was made with natural  Indigo. Symbolic in that the crop allowed the United States to compete in the trade of this valuable commodity, which would then contribute to becoming independent from British rule. 

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Japan

Some of my favorite Japanese textiles are made using a Shibori technique . Shibori is a form of resist dyeing that is used to make patterns on the fabric

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Indonesia

If you travel to Indonesia, you will no doubt fall in love with the Batik fabrics. Batiks are made with a wax resit dyeing method. Wax is applied to create the pattern and then the fabric is dipped in the die. The dye only covers the unwaxed areas.  

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India

India was the world's primary supplier of Indigo. The world Indigo, means India. It was known as the Blue Gold. One of my favorite things to collect are Indian woodblock print fabrics. Though this is not the only use of indigo in their fabrics, it is one I have always loved.  

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My Favorite Books about Indigo

If you want to learn a little more about Indigo, here are some great books. These are some of my favorite books. It really is fascinating to learn about the historical significance of color. Click the book image to learn more about each one. 

Interior Design

I love the use of the color Indigo in Interior Design. From textiles, to pottery, to wallpaper, it is such a beautiful vibrant color that can be used to add stunning contrast to a room. 

In my Art

In almost every piece of art I create, I use Indigo. No matter what medium. When teaching art classes, I often encourage my students to use Indigo, rather than black. It adds so much more depth and stunning contrast in a piece. It can be lightened to create rich blue tones, and darkened to get very deep dramatic tones. 
The use of contrast in fabrics, paintings, and interiors can be the unifying element that truly adds the magic. Why not choose to infuse a color with such richness into the things around you. That is why Indigo, is my favorite color and at the top of my list of favorite things!

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Sources

​https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/indigo-plant/different-indigo-plants.htm
https://amberoot.com/blogs/blog/indigo-history-present-days-magical-blue-dye​
​https://transportgeography.org/contents/chapter1/emergence-of-mechanized-transportation-systems/dutch-east-india-company-trade-network/