In London’s Isle of Dogs an artist is planting, harvesting, spinning, dyeing and weaving flax with groups of Tower Hamlets residents.
Shane Waltener is a textile artist and performer inspired by traditional crafts and sustainable practices.
His Flax Exchange Project originated in Walton-on-the-Naze as a way to celebrate the processing of flax into cloth and to appreciate the value of fabric.
The London project will last a year, culminating in March 2024, with a choreographed musical performance and an exhibition.
Waltener hopes it will involve the two donkeys from Mudchute City Farm who observed the 100-day flax growing process from their paddock.
Featured image and images of workshops by Ben Veasey
Images of flax growing and harvesting by Shane Waltener
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