A Field Note.
Botanical printing with P'Lek and P'Ouan.
Khao Auk Talu, Phatthalung.
The home of P'Lek and P'Ouan sits in the shadow of Khao Auk Talu.
Entering through the garden means pushing through rows of patterned fabric hanging between the trees. Look a little closer and you'll recognise the shapes of the leaves mirrored in print.
Leaves and botanical-printed fabric.
Inside, a long table is surrounded by shelves, boxes and gathered plants.
P’Lek preparing gathered leaves.
P'Lek selects a leaf, turns it in her hands and places it carefully onto a length of fabric. Then another, and another.
P'Lek arranging leaves on fabric.
Rocks and stones hold the fabric taut as P'Lek and P'Ouan begin to roll it. After a few forward turns, they stop, roll it back, lift a corner and rearrange a leaf. The stones are repositioned. They begin again. Then stop again.
The fabric is rolled.
Once wrapped, the fabric is brought to a slow boil.
There is more waiting.
Fabric bundles boiling in the garden.
In time, the bundle is opened, revealing the shapes and colours of the leaves that were laid out hours earlier.
The completed fabric.
