23 Jul 2024

How humans used the world around them to create colour

From Nights, 10:30 pm on 23 July 2024

Before the world of acrylic paint tubes, berries, flowers and plants were turned into dyes for clothes and paints for artworks.

Joumana Medlej is an artist born in Lebanon, now based in East London, best known for her work with early Arabic calligraphy.

She's also the author of Wild Inks & Paints, a handbook drawing on historical techniques for foraged plants, berries, and other earthly materials.

Joumana joins Emile Donovan.

A composite image showing a photo of Joumana on the left and the cover of her book, "WILD INKS AND PAINTS - A SEASONAL PALETTE" on the right. Joumana smiles, wearing a colourful scarf. The book cover shows a colour wheel, dotted with wild flowers and berries.

Joumana Medlej is an artist, author and teacher from Lebanon, based in East London. Photo: Supplied