‘dyed in the wool’ installation by not tom for the ‘wool modern’ exhibition

on exhibition in la galleria in london’s pall mall, the installation ‘dyed in the wool’ by british design studio not tom fills a room with a forest of wool trees, each of which draws up colour over the course of the exhibition. created in collaboration with british illustrator loui thomas, the piece was commissioned for the ‘wool modern‘ exhibition, a gallery show by the campaign for wool that focuses on the innovative and experimental use of wool.

the artists collected 150 sticks and branches and handwrapped them in wool. each of these is placed into a paint tin filled with a coloured dye. by dampening the wool, the ‘tree’ draws up the dye via capillary action, naturally forming a coloured gradient. the action is both a natural physical one as well as a reinterpretation of traditional dyeing techniques.

not tom: ‘the full effect of the installation is that of a strange woolen forest, with a subtle, colourful glow around the bottom of the room. we liked that the mummification in wool of the dead branches is juxtaposed by the capillary action re-creating the natural movement of water up a living branch.‘

not tom: dyed in the wool installation for wool modern full installation view

not tom: dyed in the wool installation for wool modern additional room view

not tom: dyed in the wool installation for wool modern closer view

not tom: dyed in the wool installation for wool modern detail view

not tom: dyed in the wool installation for wool modern concept sketch

not tom: dyed in the wool installation for wool modern floor plan