Visiting artists bring “Wild Colour” to Swansea College of Art

3 February 2023

Swansea College of Art at University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) will welcome two talented craft-makers for a residency as part of the Craft Hub project partnered by the University.

A participant holds up a piece of cloth dyed blue with white lines.

Over a period of two weeks, from 13th February, the visiting makers will work within the specialist Surface Pattern and Textile Design studios to explore the theme of “Wild Colour” and build upon their existing knowledge of natural dyeing and printing.

Karen Modeo, based in Matera, Italy, and Chloe Scadding based in Pembrokeshire, Wales, will bring expertise in the use of botanical and sustainable materials to add colour to textiles. During the residency they will have dedicated studio time to experiment with new materials and processes.

Karen and Chloe will create a series of material samples to be featured on the Craft Hub Material Library, as well as deliver workshops to staff and students which will provide a fantastic opportunity to engage with high-profile, international practicing artists. Students will benefit from their technical expertise as well as industry know-how on topics such as how to establish and sustain a thriving creative practice.

Catherine Hammerton, Lecturer in Surface Pattern Design at UWTSD, says: “As a generation of circular economists committed to making better design choices that don’t cost the earth, our students are passionate designers who are eager to learn about non-chemical print and colouration processes derived from local food waste.

“This is a brilliant learning opportunity to extend their technical repertoire while better understanding what a residency could mean to their own future career aspirations, and we are grateful to the Craft Hub project for facilitating this.”

Three samples of cloth dyed in natural colours next to a scattering of the berries used in the dying process.

About Craft Hub

UWTSD has partnered with Craft Hub, which is a European project co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme. It focuses on Craft in the context of cultural heritage and its continuing relevance in contemporary practice.

The project activities involve investigating and documenting craft skills and processes, their differing application in creative practice across Europe and questions of cultural specificity and individual motivations of practitioners.

So far the Craft Hub project has supported creation and experimentation through 42 transnational maker residencies, 305 workshops, the creation of a material library, 1 festival, 7 exhibitions and 2 conferences.

Founded in 1853, Swansea College of Art at University of Wales Trinity Saint David is a leading provider of arts-related courses, ranked first in Wales in four arts subjects, fourth in the UK for Film and Photography, eighth in the UK for Product Design, and tenth in the UK for Graphic Design.