Indigo as Story, Memory and Connection: An Evening with Rosa Chang

Last night, Indigo Week continued with a beautiful and thought-provoking presentation from artist, researcher and storyteller Rosa Chang.

After travelling through thousands of years of indigo history with Dominique Cardon earlier in the week, Rosa brought us into the present day, sharing a deeply personal perspective on what indigo can mean in our lives and communities today.

Through stories from her own journey, Rosa explored how indigo became a thread connecting culture, place, identity and belonging. Born in South Korea and now based in Baltimore, Maryland, her work sits at the intersection of natural dyeing, storytelling, research and community-building.

One of the central themes of the evening was the idea that indigo is far more than a dye.

For many of us, natural dyeing begins with a plant, a vat or a piece of cloth. Yet as our practice deepens, we often discover that colour carries stories. It carries memories of the people who taught us, the landscapes where plants are grown, the traditions that have been handed down and the communities that continue to keep those traditions alive.

This understanding sits at the heart of Rosa's Indigo Shade Map project.

The Indigo Shade Map is an ongoing global initiative that documents indigo growers, makers, artists, researchers and communities around the world. By collecting and sharing these stories, the project reveals the remarkable diversity of indigo traditions while highlighting the threads that connect us all.

During the presentation, Rosa demonstrated the remarkable growth of the Indigo Shade Map itself. What began as a research project has evolved into a global archive of indigo knowledge, documenting plants, makers, traditions and communities from around the world.

The map allows visitors to explore indigo stories geographically, revealing both the diversity of indigo traditions and the surprising connections that exist between them.

Importantly, the project continues to grow. Rosa actively welcomes contributions from indigo growers, dyers, artists and enthusiasts who would like to help document and share their own indigo journeys.

You can explore the Indigo Shade Map here:

https://www.indigoshademap.org

Throughout the evening, Rosa shared examples from her own work, discussing community dye projects, indigo papermaking, artistic practice and the role of storytelling within traditional crafts. The conversation moved easily between practical making, cultural history and personal experience, reminding us that natural dyeing is as much about people as it is about colour.

The discussion that followed reflected this beautifully. Members joined from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States, asking questions about papermaking, resist techniques, community projects and creative practice. More than anything, there was a shared sense of appreciation for Rosa's openness, generosity and thoughtful approach to her work.

One message lingered long after the session ended: indigo is not simply something we make. It is something that connects us.

As Indigo Week continues, we move from stories and community into another important part of indigo tradition. Tonight we welcome Britt Boles for the first of two sessions exploring the art and practice of traditional Japanese sukumo making, before moving into our live vat-making sessions next week.

If you have not yet joined Indigo Week, there is still time. Recordings remain available, and every new session adds another layer to this remarkable journey through one of the world's most beloved colours.

Rosa also introduced her Mindful Colors Membership, an online space where she shares seasonal studio letters, colour stories, educational resources and ongoing research from her natural dye practice.

Resources are available in both Korean and English, reflecting the cross-cultural nature of her work.

Thank you, Rosa, for reminding us that every shade of indigo carries a story.