JOANNA FOWLES

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
“Ich Ruf Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ” BWV 639
interpreted by Bert Alink.

JOANNA FOWLES

ARTIST

Helensburgh, Australia

Joanna Fowles works on Dharawal land in the leafy town of Helensburgh. She specialises in nature and natural dyeing methods. She creates plant-based colours from vast array of natural dyes and pigments which she forages in hers and people’s backyard. Read More

Photos I took that day…

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The first time I met Jo was at The School, a Sydney based creative hub, brainchild of the very dynamic Australian Stylist Megan Morton. I was hired to photograph and film Jo’s “400 colours in 2 days” class. A spectacular feat! Jo pushed me to drop the camera and start dipping mordanted white cotton cloth all the dye pots. I had a blast!

I observed her and noticed her incredible dedication (400 colours in 2 days by complete novice students is an exploit), and even after hours over bubbling crockpots she kept her sparkly eyes and spectacular smile. We became friends and we have been meeting regularly ever since along with a group of artists over a seasonal Lunch to help each other grow. I followed her career and her academic work.

Her research and art practice investigate the immense chromatic possibilities of plant materials to produce plant-based colours. Jo selects plant materials based on her extended knowledge of plants and dyes, their seasonal availability, and her understanding of their locations.

Her focus on “geo-locality” allows her to utilise specific local sources for natural colourants from material waste such as coffee waste, onion skins, garden prunings, and windfalls. The colour palettes she develops are determined by the materials sourced from the local environment. She applies thick lines of these colours on bands of fabric which highlight the natural hues from each unique place she works in.

A few weeks ago, Jo completed her research Master of Fine Arts at UNSW. As soon as she sat down to relax, I sent her homework in the shape of questions for my 30 beautiful people’s interview challenge.

I hope you enjoy knowing more about her as much as I did!

Getting to know Joanna:
@joannafowles | joannafowles.com

INTERVIEW

I don’t have one! Well, actually I've just looked up Ancestry and it says: Scottish variant of Foulis a habitational name from Fowlis in Angus or less commonly from Fowlis Wester in Strathearn Perthshire.
Ha I thought it was related to birds!
I'm originally from Shropshire in the English countryside. I've settled now permanently in Australia in Helensburgh, a small town right by the Royal National Park. It's the perfect spot that gives me a balance between the city for my university teaching and nature for my art practice.
Unfortunately just English. I hope to learn French one day to honour my French and Maltese grandmother.
I locally forage from nature and local waste streams to collect bark, roots, and foliage to coax colour and create natural colour palettes that become textile-based artworks and colour installations.
The calm, meditative quietness of Agnes Martin's works are minimal, geometric but with soul.
Fabric, pattern, colour and fashion have been threads of interest since childhood, alongside a reverence for nature and wildlife, probably influenced by Gerald Durrell’s book My Family and Other Animals! I dreamt of escaping to a warmer climate and being immersed in the natural world and luckily, that transpired.
I'm generally not one for extravagance, but I once fell in love with an artisan hand-painted jacket from India that uses the craft of kalamkari hand-mordant painting, only to find out after I had paid it was way beyond my budget due to a currency mix-up. Thankfully, the artist was understanding and refunded me.
The action of foraging for me is without time but firmly grounded in place. Precious studio time with the music on is my absolute happy place.
I wouldn't say there's been a single big break—my journey's been a gradual exploration of ideas and a dedication to the process. My recent research degree has allowed me to delve deeper and refine my practice rigorously.
Dealing with imposter syndrome is an ongoing challenge, but I'm making progress.
'Flourish.' It's not just about growth; it’s about thriving in a sustainable and holistic way.
Integrity, honesty, and applying an ‘Earth-First’ approach in my decisions.
I have collections of paintbrushes, rocks, leaves, fabric, words, and of course, colours.
That's a tough one—I find value in simple things that show the signs of the maker. A handmade teapot or mug with an interesting glaze. A beautifully woven textile. Craft, I guess. Objects that show provenance and the hand of the maker.
My partner's ruby chicken curry. It tastes divine.
‘The Forty Rules of Love’ by Elif Shafak. It's a beautifully written homage to Rumi’s poetry interwoven with a contemporary love story. Unexpectedly good.
‘Slow Horses’ Has that quintessential English grit that's hard to resist and Gary Oldman is superb.
I've gone nostalgic, and I’m revisiting old tracks from The Cure, Primal Scream and The Stone Roses.
Ajit Kumar Das—an incredible Kalamkari artist.
I love where I live, but splitting my time between here and where my partner grew up in South India in the community called Auroville would be perfect.
I'd love to publish a book on colour.
Definitely! Anyone interested in the intersection of colour, dye and foraging and ant to help my realise this project?