Chasing Colours

The Eucalypts of Narrogin: Art, Science and Stories
Dianne Strahan, Sue Bicknell and Sally Rogers with Annette Nykiel

Step into the rich, natural world of colour with Chasing Colours: an exhibition exploring the beauty and potential of eco-dyeing using local botanicals.

Once a widely used practice, natural dyeing largely disappeared with the rise of synthetic dyes in the 1800s. As a result, many Australian plants—especially those in Western Australia—were never fully explored for their dyeing potential. Today, with a growing return to sustainable and nature-based practices, eco-dyeing is making a vibrant comeback in contemporary art and craft.

This exhibition focuses on eucalypts found within a 50km radius of Narrogin, uncovering the unique colours hidden within their leaves and bark. Each species reveals its own character, brought to life through careful experimentation with dyeing and printing techniques.

Over four years, this journey has grown into an extensive collection of swatches and artworks, showcasing how variations in temperature, time, fibres, and the use of mordants can transform natural colour into a rich and harmonious palette.

Beyond dyeing, the process has inspired a wide range of creative expressions—from weaving and basketry to photography, bookmaking, and textile design.

Chasing Colours is a celebration of curiosity, experimentation, and the endless possibilities found in nature.

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ARTISTS

A shared curiosity for nature, textiles, and local knowledge has brought together a group of artists behind Eucalypts of Narrogin: Art, Science and Stories. Through learning to identify eucalypts, exploring the science of natural dyeing, and uncovering the stories held within these trees, this collaboration has grown into a rich, multi-layered project.

Dianne Strahan, a botanical printer of 15 years, creates site-specific books and textile works using plant-based processes. Sally Rogers brings decades of experience as a naturalist and photographer, alongside a passion for working with textiles, particularly merino wool. Sue Bicknell explores colour through mordant pastes and resist techniques such as shibori and wax, drawing inspiration from the high tannin content of local trees.

Joining the group is Annette Nykiel, a slow-maker and fibre artist with a background in geoscience. Her practice is deeply connected to the landscapes she works within, using natural fibres and pigments to reflect the ecosystems around her. Together, the artists share a deep respect for the environment and a commitment to exploring the creative possibilities of natural materials.

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EXHIBITION

ARTS SPACE Corner of Park and, Fairway St, Narrogin
NEXIS GALLERY 82 Federal St, Narrogin

OPENING HOURS (both galleries)

Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm
Saturday 10am – 2pm

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This exhibition is proudly supported by the WA Government through the Regional Exhibition Touring Boost.