“Dye-namic” Artist talk hosted by Bās Bookshop

Three local artists Kristen Baucam, Christopher Ching and Travis Sasaki meet at Bās Bookshop to discuss their artwork featuring dye

Photo Credit: Brandon Liu

The sun slowly set over Chinatown last week Wednesday, and a small but dedicated crowd of eight art appreciators gathered just before six in Bās Bookshop. The walls of the store were adorned with collaborative work featuring natural dyes from each artist. 

Kristen Baucam’s hand dyed strips of Sari Silk

First to explain their thought process behind their work was Christopher Ching from CYCthe shop, followed by Kristen Baucam of OKBet, and, last to speak was architectural designer Travis Sasaki, who attended via zoom. 

he art display, titled: “Dye-namic,” due to its focus on the use of natural dyes foraged from raw materials featured differing items from Fabric dye samples, long pale pink and light purple tapestry hangings, clothing, and the centrepiece of the show a piece named “Prismatic.” 

“Prismatic”

Artist Kristen Baucam spent almost a year hand dyeing sari silk in colours composed of over 40 foraged local dyes. The 5’8” piece features 324 individually dyed strands fastened to a 28.5 by 28.5 acrylic board. 

Baucam surmised the atmosphere of the show well saying, “When I see others using dyes such as indigo or persimmon in Japan, its more commonly associated with boho style - I really wanted to juxtapose that.”

The display of garments and artwork foraged from natural dyes will be on display at Bās Bookshop until the end of September.