Dry mud from Rindi village's field, Sumba, Indonesia
BURIED COLORS
ongoing research...
Buried Colors is an ongoing research project exploring traditional mud dye practices across different regions of the world. Through long-term field research, documentary photography, and collaboration with artisan communities, the project explores the cultural, social, and ecological relationships that shape these textile traditions and the worlds around them.
Although found across many cultures, traditional mud dye remains one of the least documented natural dyeing practices. Rather than presenting it as a single technique, Buried Colors looks at the many ways mud dye exists across different regions, where each practice has been shaped by local landscapes, materials, histories, beliefs, and cultural traditions. By spending extended periods living and learning alongside artisans, the project seeks to understand not only how textiles are made, but why they exist, how knowledge is shared, and the relationships that continue to sustain these traditions.
Although found across many cultures, traditional mud dye remains one of the least documented natural dyeing practices. Rather than presenting it as a single technique, Buried Colors looks at the many ways mud dye exists across different regions, where each practice has been shaped by local landscapes, materials, histories, beliefs, and cultural traditions. By spending extended periods living and learning alongside artisans, the project seeks to understand not only how textiles are made, but why they exist, how knowledge is shared, and the relationships that continue to sustain these traditions.
Thailand & Indonesia - 2025
The first stage of Buried Colors was carried out across Thailand and Indonesia, where I spent time living and learning alongside six artisans in five different communities. Each place offered a different understanding of mud dye, revealing how practices are shaped not only by natural materials, but also by local histories, cultural traditions, beliefs, and everyday life.
Although connected through the use of mud, no two traditions were the same. In some communities, mud dye is closely tied to the surrounding landscape and the materials it provides; in others, it remains deeply connected to ceremony, social identity, and ritual life. Together, these experiences showed that mud dye cannot be understood as a single tradition, but as many distinct practices rooted in the places and communities where they continue to be lived.
Although connected through the use of mud, no two traditions were the same. In some communities, mud dye is closely tied to the surrounding landscape and the materials it provides; in others, it remains deeply connected to ceremony, social identity, and ritual life. Together, these experiences showed that mud dye cannot be understood as a single tradition, but as many distinct practices rooted in the places and communities where they continue to be lived.
coming soon...
Buried colors I - Indonesia & Thailand
245 pages
22x30 cm
Hardcover, layflat open binding
Hand binded by Poncho Martinez
Ongoing research...
Although found across many cultures, traditional mud dye remains one of the least documented natural dyeing practices. Rather than presenting it as a single technique, Buried Colors looks at the many ways mud dye exists across different regions, where each practice has been shaped by local landscapes, materials, histories, beliefs, and cultural traditions. By spending extended periods living and learning alongside artisans, the project seeks to understand not only how textiles are made, but why they exist, how knowledge is shared, and the relationships that continue to sustain these traditions.
Although connected through the use of mud, no two traditions were the same. In some communities, mud dye is closely tied to the surrounding landscape and the materials it provides; in others, it remains deeply connected to ceremony, social identity, and ritual life. Together, these experiences showed that mud dye cannot be understood as a single tradition, but as many distinct practices rooted in the places and communities where they continue to be lived.
coming soon...
22x30 cm
Hardcover, layflat open binding
Hand binded by Poncho Martinez
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