Weed in: Artist creates dyes from invasive species

The project, on view at Brooklyn arts and community space Silent Barn, recasts urban weeds as unintentional plants. Irons uses these overlooked species to create pigments in vibrant shades of blue, orange, magenta and green.

The project also explores how these plants came to be present in Bushwick, Brooklyn, the artist’s home base. The history of the plants often mirrors human migration, suggesting social as well as ecological themes.

‘Invasive species have several characteristics. They are flexible, resilient, able to take advantage of resources when they are available, good at travelling and able to adapt readily to new environments,’ said the artist, speaking to Coolhunting. ‘This describes the spontaneous plants I work with, but it also describes the human species.’

For more on why consumers and artisans are engaging with invasive species, read LS:N Global’s Invasivores microtrend.