Collecting Color

January 17, 2025 - May 9, 2025

This exhibition showcases the natural dye foraging research of Iowa City artist Lilah Ward. The exhibit is a glimpse into her collecting and archiving process of foraging for plants found in eastern Iowa to test the colors they produce on cellulose and protein fibers. Additionally, she extracts the colored dye lake plant pigment for use in artist materials such as inks and paints. This pigment is made by precipitating a dye with an inert binder, usually a metallic salt.

Lilah began her practice of plant color research after relocating to the Midwest in 2020, following a primarily nomadic life. She embarked on this journey to explore ways of connecting with the land when one doesn't have a place to call home.

Lilah Ward is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans textiles, natural dyeing, printmaking, clay, painting, and drawing. She earned her MFA in Printmaking and MA in Ceramics from the University of Iowa. Her work delves into color relationships, geometric shapes, and patterning, exploring the dynamics between forms and space. Additionally, she investigates themes of human relationships, identity, ancestry, peace, comfort, and play.