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The Art & Agriculture of Indigo: Insights from Aboubakar Fofana
Talk
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
1600 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA, 30309
November 7, 2024 | 6:30-8pm
Join SCAD FASH and Villa Albertine for an enlightening lecture by world-renowned textile artist Aboubakar Fofana, whose work is rooted in the ancient practice of natural indigo dyeing. Drawing from his rich experience in Mali and beyond, Fofana will explore the intricate relationship between agriculture, artisanal craft, and cultural heritage in the production of indigo textiles. This talk will delve into the essential role of the cottage industry in sustaining traditional textile methods and the profound connection between land, labor, and art.
During his presentation, Fofana will guide the audience through the life cycle of indigo, from the cultivation of the indigofera plant to the artisanal processes that transform this raw material into stunning textiles. By highlighting the sustainable farming techniques necessary for high-quality dye production, he will illustrate how agricultural practices are intimately tied to the creative process, preserving both the environment and traditional knowledge.
In this lecture, Fofana will emphasize the importance of reviving and supporting cottage industries that rely on local, small-scale production. Through his personal journey as an artist and activist, he will discuss how these industries are vital not only for creating economic opportunities but also for maintaining the cultural integrity and ecological balance of textile-making traditions.
This presentation is a must-attend for anyone interested in sustainable fashion, traditional textile arts, and the global importance of preserving artisanal knowledge.
Arrive early for a self-guided tour of SCAD FASH’s current exhibit, Imane Ayissi: From Africa to the World, and explore Ayissi’s use of sustainable materials, artisanal craft and traditional textile.
Aboubakar Fofana is an artist and designer whose mediums include calligraphy, textiles and natural dyes. He is known for reinvigorating and redefining West African indigo dyeing techniques, and he is devoted to the preservation and reinterpretation of traditional West African textile and natural dyeing methods and materials. Fofana’s work stems from a spiritual belief that nature is divine, and through respecting this divinity we can understand the sacred universe. His materials come from the natural world, and his practice revolves around cycles of nature, the themes of birth, decay and change, and the impermanence of these materials.
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