True Colors, 1st Edition: World Masters of Natural Dyes and Pigments

Firstly, i’m ambivalent, PERIOD, about posting this review. I realize it may have been a deeply personal choice of the editor/writer to make these particular inclusions in the book. I’m also rather curious how some have been given the title of “World Master” as well. But honestly? I wouldn’t recommend buying unless you’re one of those people who has to have *EVERY* book on a subject: borrow from the library when it gets there. (Petition your library: they are always open to reasonable requests for aquisitions, and it’s still a sale for the writer/publisher.) It’s not that it’s expensive (it isn’t by a long shot) but you’d be better off with other more historically “slanted” books, like Dominique Cardon’s epistle, any of Yoshiko Wada’s beautiful offerings, Jenny Balfour-Paul’s indigo histories, and many museum guides online and sometimes available as catalogues.This is the first natural dye book i’ve ever been ambivalent about. On one hand, it’s exciting visually, a cornucopia of natural colour use around the world, illustrated gorgeously with close-ups and atmospheric scenes. Spotlights are on cultural meaning and history, empowerment of indigenous people, and the uses of ethno/geo-centric dye materials, in traditional and in cutting edge directions. The many facets of indigo are intriguing, and in some cases jaw dropping in the dedication to preservation of a skill, and in the use of aeons old techniques and materials for contemporary art applications in other media. The indigo sections in particular opened my heart to appreciate *all* the permutations of blue possible and to embrace the vagaries of the vat, finding beauty in the palest to darkest, no “wrong” blue as a result. The book should have been edited then and there, to be finished. The reverse side of the coin however is the inclusion of erroneously labelled “sustainable” branded “dyers” who promote the use of food waste, fugitive dyes and the instant gratification element of DIY, with no actual historical data. This isn’t a recipe book by a long shot, but i would have expected a disclaimer by some, (even one!) of these currently Popular Girls, about dyes that last, are done correctly with proper mordanting, with light and wash fast tests, instead of “seasonal colour” that essentially wastes more resources by the very fact that they have to be redyed over and over to have colour. I feel that these chapters are puff pieces only, designed to fill the book, with no actual value added, but since there are only a couple of these artistes included, there is a small blessing in that. As i said, this isn’t a recipe book by a long shot, and was never intended to be, but in giving the title “World Masters” to some of the included artists, it cheapens the whole field, promotes bad practice, and encourages questionable business models. It’s unfortunate that the classic dyers, innovative artists and contemporary uses will be glossed over by many in favour of the easy to do fugitive. A coffee table book, and it may pique some interest in those who intend to get serious, but in the end, not a reference book, not destined to become a classic, and not very useful for the most part, except perhaps as a “Digest”.

The book itself is a work of art. The photography is hauntingly evocative and brings to life the stories and culture behind techniques that reach back to the most primitive times of humanity when we began to express ourselves visually. Keith Recker is a story teller, a historian, a brilliant writer and he delivers the material in this authoriative resource exploring the roots of color and the techniques from pre-industrial cultures from around the globe. He has an eye for beauty, an ear for a story and an encyiolpedic knowledge of that most simple and yet most complext concept: color. The book lays out a compelling case backed up with data and anecdotes that will appeal to the artistic professional, the worlds of fashion, deocrating and architecture or anyone interested in knowing more about who we are and how we got here . Recker connects to the people who connect us to the past with traditional artistcic techniques and brings the reader along for immersion in photographs, stories and information. This work will become a foundational resource for the technically minded, but can take the lay person on a beautiful, colorfol visual exploration of the corners of the world.

Usually I don’t read reviews before I write mine, but today I felt pushed to write when I saw a variety of reviews here.People may say “coffee table” book as a disparaging thing but it means "beautiful book you’ll want to go back to and look at the images repeatedly and share with others".This does not pretend to be a book that tells you how to do natural dyeing. It is a book about a variety of practitioners around the world of this ancient and re-emerging art form. Since I know a fair amount about dyeing I thought this would be a redundant, but was repeatedly surprised at how engaging these stories are. This it is an intimate book that looks at the artists and how they approach their work. There are images of artists on every continent (except Antartica) in a time when we need to all learn more about each other. It’s a book about people who respect Mother Earth in a time when we need to respect and heal our earth. This is a beautiful book to be enjoyed and shared.

An Incredible journey into the historical, cultural and anthropological story of color, and dyes . This is a book that takes years to compile and investigate , with the stories of artisans from many different cultural backgrounds who have dedicated their lives to passing on the secrets and techniques of natural dyes . This is particularly poignant for us human, as we contemplate a coming ecological disaster that comes from forgetting the ancestral ways in which humans related and lived in symbiosis with the natural world. This book is an ode to that narrow bridge that lifts up human endeavor and the quest for beauty and meaning over nothingness.

This is a beautiful and richly informative book. I expected a narrative about color and instead received an exceptionally well written glimpse into history, emotion, and the striving of various makers to derive exquisite beauty from natural processes. This gives me hope in an increasingly blindly-polluting and disrespectful world. It was particularly important to see that those committed to sustainable practices are both young and old, and that the deep attachment can reside within or without an individual’s heritage. Our future health depends on our appreciation of people from all corners of the earth. Give yourself a gift and read this book.

A beautifully photographic adventure into the lives of textile artists from around the world... all in one volume!Worth so much more than the price of the book. Very happy to have discovered this treasure and to peer into the hearts and minds of those who bring forth the colors of life.

There is a fascinating range of world wide textile artists using traditional and natural plant dyes which they have developed a personal way of using; many to the good of their communities. The book is illustrated with beautiful photos of them at work with work in progress and finished items.

The colours and the stories are just wonderful, a good dip in book. Would brighten any grey day

Loved it and illustrations great - thoroughly recommend it.

Excellent book. Great value.

The book came really quickly and I am delighted to have it! I love the book - so visual and beautiful as well as poetic as it relates to colour.