The printed banners in the Ceres studio, Brixton, prior to being waxed and installed above the streets of East London.
Ceres were invited by Company Place and Lola Lely to interpret artwork using natural dye-print. Ceres made these tiny flag designs, and translated them into huge hemp banners. Destined to float, flutter, and wave, above the streets of Poplar, East London.
Ceres colours were in response to a palette initiated by community workshops in the Aberfeldy neighbourhood. We gathered dyes from bio-waste, and gardens in our locality; provenance of cafe’s and scrubland.
A unique public art installation, showcasing natural dyes on a large scale. These low environmental impact printing techniques, developed by Ceres, promote harmonious colours of the locality.
Most of the banners hung outside in Aberfeldy, braving the weather, and testing the endurance of natural dyes.
Some banners had a cushier existence, in the cafe at Poplar Works where the Colours of Home trail ended.
Hemp is a durable, robust and heavy. A logistical printing challenge, and a physical work out. Ceres tested methods, and researched new recipes to achieve a smorgasbord of colours and the rich black.
The banners were large. Six designs, six prints of each.
Beribboned and adorned, the banners spent Summer 2023 bringing colour and pattern to Aberfeldy Village, Poplar.
Ceres Studio 1 