MADDER REDS:
Nurturing Interconnection
November 9 - December 8
Artists reception November 9, 5:00pm
In this international exhibit, Madder Reds: Nurturing Interconnection, organized and curated by Astorian Iris Sullivan Daire, 14 artists join together to celebrate the many living colors derived from madder root.
Often hailed as the queen of dyes, madder serves as a powerful teacher, illustrating the importance of collaboration. As her many colors emerge only through specific conditions and partnerships, we too thrive when we embrace our differences as we work towards a shared vision. View the show at Astoria Visual Arts, November 9 through December 8.
Madder Red organizer and curator Iris Sullivan Daire has been working with natural dyes for the last 30 years, including growing madder for the last eight, and has come to see madder as an embodiment of the empowered divine feminine force that works in collaboration with others.
This exhibit is organized into three distinct sections. The first, Paths Towards Interdependence, showcases a collaborative installation featuring lengths of madder-dyed cloth, symbolizing the living forests that vividly illustrate the interconnectedness of all beings. The second section, Council of Community, presents a collection of artwork highlighting diverse perspectives and voices. Lastly, In Service to Life is an installation by Sullivan Daire, offering a unique exploration of our relationship with the natural world.
Madder Reds is a follow up to the Indigo Matrix exhibition, organized by Sullivan Daire in 2022, which featured twenty artists from three countries.
Madder root, derived from the plant Rubia tinctorum, has been used for centuries as a natural dye. In the Middle Ages, it was one of the most prized dyes in Europe, used to create vibrant red fabrics that were highly sought by royalty and the wealthy. At one time, madder was so valuable it sparked wars over access to the best sources. Like all natural dyes, madder’s popularity declined with the rise of synthetic replacements in the 19th century. With a renewed interest in natural dyes, madder is once again popular in textile arts.
Artists participating include: Sofia Stawåsen Brokvist (Sweden), Marian Martínez González (Spain); Shanna G. Robinson (Michigan), Hannah Regier (Vermont), Kristin Field (Illinois), Madeline MeGarrity (Rhode Island), Jasmine Lace Petrie (Michigan), as well as Oregon artists, Iris Sullivan Daire (Astoria), Constance Waisanen (Knappa), Skye Macalester (Portland), Isaac Yoder (Portland), Brittany Boles (Gearhart), Kyla Sjogren (Manzanita), and Emma Geddes (Astoria).