This project is a period of focused research and development exploring the traditional Dabu resist print method in Rajasthan, India.
Dabu is a mud-based resist technique historically linked to Indian chintz and grounded in ecological knowledge. Through hands-on training with local artisans and independent studio experimentation, I am deepening my technical understanding of the process while investigating how materials such as mud, dye and cloth actively shape outcomes.
This residency is not about producing finished artworks. It is a structured period of professional development centred on material experimentation, sustainable print processes and ethical cross-cultural learning.
My practice is concerned with material agency — how substances behave, resist, and collaborate in the making process.
The project also acknowledges the colonial histories embedded in textile production and seeks to approach traditional knowledge with accountability and respect. Learning is conducted through paid collaboration, crediting of teachers, and careful documentation.
The longer-term impact of this research will inform future workshops and community engagement, introducing accessible, low-toxic, environmentally responsible print methods to diverse participants. It will also shape future exhibition work grounded in sustainable practice and material awareness.
This research reflects my commitment to developing responsible innovation — expanding contemporary print practice while remaining attentive to lineage, ecology and reciprocity.
