YUANJIA Indigo Batik Workshop Series 远家蓝染蜡画工作坊
"In the time of the Yellow Emperor, crowns and garments were dyed yellow using the juice of grasses and trees.” This ancient line reminds us that long before synthetic pigments, people turned to nature for color, beauty, and meaning. Plant-based dyeing is one of the oldest artistic and ecological practices—one that reflects a deep understanding of balance between humanity and the natural world.
Workshop Introduction
In this workshop, you are invited to awaken the vibrant essence of natural indigo, extracted from plants and cultivated with care. Rooted in centuries of Eastern craftsmanship, the session introduces participants to traditional batik—a time-honored resist-dyeing technique that uses melted wax to draw intricate patterns on fabric. Through hands-on guidance, you will learn to apply wax, control the dyeing process, and translate personal vision into a wearable artwork. The dyes used in this workshop—such as isatis root, persimmons, Pu’er tea, and pomegranate peel—are not only gentle on the body, but also non-toxic and environmentally sustainable. Originating from Sichuan, China, where YUANJIA established its first plant dye studio in 2015, these materials are cultivated and processed by hand, carrying with them the rhythms of land, season, and care.
Participants will also be introduced to various natural dyeing techniques, including wax-resist painting, tie-dye, clamp dyeing, and hot-bath dyeing. Each method invites experimentation, intuition, and reflection. By the end of the session, every participant will have crafted their own botanically dyed indigo silk scarf—a unique expression of personal creativity and connection to a tradition that honors both the earth and the self.
Instructor Bio
Kaijian Wu is a co-founder of the original lifestyle brand YUANJIA and the creative lead of ZHUSE, a studio dedicated to the revival of traditional botanical dye techniques. He is one of the initiators of the Mingyue Village Botanical Dye Revival Project in China. Recognized by UNESCO for his contribution to the heritage of natural dyeing, his works have been exhibited at cultural and creative festivals in China, as well as internationally in South Korea, Morocco, and beyond.