Exploring plant fibres for textiles and sculptural works.
Hibiscus heterophyllus
Preparing Hibiscus heterophyllus for fibre – felling, debarking, removing the top layer of bark, retting (soaking in water for a few weeks – getting those bioenxymes to breakdown the pectin, lignen and hemicellulose).
Scraping the outer layer of bark exposes the periderm layer which is the layer that is used for fibre.
Past weaving – the fibre is very long and strong. Looking forward to more fibre experimentation.
Hibiscus heterophyllus is a local small tree that is found on the margins of our rainforest. It is an excellent pioneer species for rainforest restoration work.
