Teen Workshop Hands-on History: Adire Indigo Dyeing

Indigo dye has a rich global history dating back thousands of years. In the traditional Yoruba art of adire, artists use stitching, wax, and tightly wrapped string to create intricate patterns on the cloth. When it is submerged in the dye vat, the exposed cloth soaks up the indigo dye, while the hidden designs remain their original color. The plants, animals, and geometric forms of adire have specific meaning for the Yoruba people.

In this workshop, teens will learn resist dyeing techniques with Philadelphia textile artist Yemisi Ajayi and create their own indigo-dyed cloth to take home. Yemisi bridges the gap between her traditional artistic skills and contemporary works that draw connections to the past. She creates pieces that symbolize her cultural heritage, manifesting her visions into tangible forms.