DEEPÈLÚ: A Study of Blue through Indigo and Cyanotype

DEEPÈLÚ is an in-depth color study and workshop of the color blue in creative practice, cultural preservation, and chemistry. This three-session workshop will explore blue through indigo + cyanotype experimentation, facilitated by Oluwakemi 'Kemi' Oritsejafor, SOLA Market founder and indigo textile practitioner in collaboration with Oko Farms.

About Kemi: Oluwakemi began studying indigo and natural dye practices in 2021 by self instruction, inspired by her own curioisity surrounding traditional textile making in their Native Nigeria. Kemi learned and fell into textile production not only as cultural expression, but representative of long-standing matriarchial economies that once were economic powerhouses across all of Africa and the foundation of longstanding global trade cultivated by women. She quickly took up Indigo and natural dye art production, textile design, and printmaking, plus began leading workshops on Yoruba Èlú textile making (indigo dye in Yoruba).

Oluwakemi has led workshops on behalf of Chicago Parks District, Garfield Park Conservatory, Artspace NC, BKLYN Commons, Hudson Valley Seed Company, PhotoDom NYC, Climate Cafe Eco x The Climate Imaginarium at Governor's Island, and more.

DEEPÈLÚ: A Workshop of the Color Blue

This offering invites you to an in-depth study of the color blue through indigo and cyanotype, led by textile practitioner Oluwakemi "Kemi" Oritsejafor. Over the course of three sessions, participants will learn to process fresh, raw indigo grown at Oko Farms into dye while deepening their relationship with the plant, its Yoruba cultural roots, and its long history as a tool of remembrance and connection.

This workshop combines cultural and historical grounding with guided, hands-on dye practice. Together, we'll build our own indigo vats, explore resist techniques like folding, tying, and wax application, breathe new life into pre-loved garments, and experiment with cyanotype printing before overdyeing our prints in indigo.

Price: $300 for the series

Location: 99 Scott Ave, Bushwick | Honey’s Rooftop

By the end of the series:

  • You’ll be able to build and maintain your own indigo dye vat

  • Use resist techniques like folding, tying and wax-resist

  • Create Cyanotype prints

  • You’ll also leave with printed resources and an indigo plant cutting to grow at home and continue your practice

This is a weekly class series! Over three weeks, you’ll take part in the slow process of indigo processing and dyeing.

Dyeing is a meditative process that requires time, patience, and care.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Workshop 1: Wednesday, September 16 (6pm-8:30pm)

Introduction to Indigo and Yoruba traditional remembrance

  • Indigo as a portal and altar of remembrance, connection, and of its namesake, love

  • Processing fresh Indigo grown at Oko Farms and from across New York State

  • Activity: Making our first Indigo vat and learning simple resist methods

Workshop 2: Wednesday, September 23 (6pm-8:30pm)

Using Indigo for lengthening the life force of the personal wardrobe

  • Building personal Indigo dye vats for the remainder of the course and at home

  • Wax resist methods and playing with indigo

  • Activity: Dyeing natural fiber items from your personal wardrobe with indigo

Workshop 3: Tuesday, September 29 (6pm- 8:30pm)

My cup runneth— dyeing, cyanotype, and reflections

  • Reminiscing on indigo and the color blue as symbolic expressions and gestures of memory, remembrance, and unbreakable bonds

  • Sharing additional resources and reflections

  • Activity: Printing images on fabric using cyanotype methods, to be over-dyed with indigo

This workshop is made possible by support from New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA)

Want to learn more on the farm?

Oko Farms offers educational courses, tours, and workshops.