man-kurdudjumuk and ashes

The striking yellow – gold hue comes from the root of the man-kurdudjumuk plant (coelospermum reticulatum) which has been harvested from the sandy country near the flood plains. This laborious and tiring process requires digging up the entire shrub. The root is shaven into a pot of water and the colour is released into water through the boiling process. Ashes sprinkled into the mix create beautiful orange tones. 

This silk has been dyed by Jocelyn at Bolkjam Outstation where she has been attending ceremony