Natural dyes, as ancient yet vibrant materials, are shining with new brilliance in contemporary art and design creations. Since 2019, China National Silk Museum (“Museum”) has held the “Biennale of Natural Dyes” with the aim of promoting academic exchanges and artistic innovation in the field of natural dyeing on a global scale. The first biennale brought together artists and scholars from 22 countries and regions, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, India, Mexico, and Madagascar. Meanwhile, we also held “Multicolored Map: 300-Year History of Dyes on Textiles in Europe and Asia” and “ Natural Dyeing: Contemporary Art and Design Works”, International Academic symposium, World Natural Dyeing Workshop, and Natural Dyeing Textile Art and Craft Bazaar. The second and third Biennale of Natural Dyes were held in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

In 2025, the Biennale of Natural Dyes will embark on its journey once again. The Contemporary Art and Design Exhibition, themed “Locality and Reproduction” will call for contemporary art and design works utilizing natural dyes from artists and designers worldwide. The exhibition will focus on the innovative applications of natural dyes in contemporary art, exploring their dialogue and reconstruction within the contexts of traditional craftsmanship and diverse regional cultures.

Requirements for the Works:

1.With respect to dyes and processing, major dyes must be 100% pure natural dyes, i.e. natural pigments extracted from plants, animals and microorganisms. Use of a small amounts of mineral pigments is permitted.

2. With respect to size, the dimensions of the work are limited to a maximum of 4 m × 4 m in length and width, and less than 4 m in height. Other dimensions require prior permission of the Biennale Organizing Committee to be entered into the exhibition.

3.No limits have been set for the theme or form of the work. Specifically, both individual pieces and series must be original. Works that can highlight regional characteristics will be given priority for selection. Reproduction works should involve ancient and valuable artifacts, or tangible recreations based on historical images and research. Research outcomes may include color charts or swatches highlighting natural dyes and dyeing techniques with local or regional characteristics.

Work Submission and Evaluation:

1. Work submission and evaluation involves two steps. The first evaluation (the preliminary evaluation) begins from the date of this notice issued to October 8, 2025, China Standard Time 24:00. The submitter needs only to submit to the Biennale Organizing Committee the electronic version of the work (including the image, name,  description of the image and the contact information for the artist) and the electronic version of the “Artist and Work Registration Form”. The image description must specify the dyeing techniques (i.e. dye type, dyeing tool and dyeing process) and creative idea in an up to 300-word writing. The images must be in jpg format and 300 dpi resolution. Enclosed with this notice is the registration form (Annex 1). The preliminary evaluation results will be announced on October 31, 2025 (China Standard Time) on the official website or WeChat official account of the Museum. Artists who fail the first evaluation will not be informed. For the second evaluation, or reevaluation, the physical real work must be dispatched to a specified address along with the completed “Artist and Work Registration Form” and the “work description” in writing before November 15, 2025 to November 30, 2025 (China Standard Time).

2. The artist should select a secure logistics service provider (e.g. SF Express, FedEx, DHL, UPS) for their large work. The shipping costs to Hangzhou and the import duty are to be paid by the artist and the Biennale Organizing Committee does not accept any responsibility for any damage to the work occurring during the transportation to Hangzhou. Within two months of the end of the exhibition, the Museum will return the work to the artist and the shipping costs and any import/export duties will be paid by the Museum. Alternatively, the artist can also bring their work personally to the Museum for the exhibition. 

3. Teachers and students from domestic and international colleges and universities, artists, artisans from workshops, and other enthusiasts of natural dyes are welcomed to sign up.

Award:

Around 100 works will be picked out and receive entry certificates. 10 of these will be chosen to receive awards. 

Collectibles:

The host will select a number of works from around 100 works for the Museum to discuss collection issues with the creators.  

Copyright:

The Biennale Organizing Committee has the right to exhibit, study, take pictures or videos of, publish and promote any work submitted to this exhibition. The creator who has submitted his/her work for evaluation and the exhibition shall be deemed to have confirmed and abided by the specifications hereunder.

Mailing Address:

Address: Fine Arts School of Hangzhou Normal University, 77 Yuhuangshan Rd., Xihu Dist., Hangzhou  

Postal Code: 310000

E-mail: guoziangzzzz@163.com (Attn: Ms. Guo Ziang)

For information on the exhibition, please visit the Museum’s official website (http://www.chinasilkmuseum.com/) or WeChat official account (China National Silk Museum). 

Annex 1: Artist and Work Registration Form.doc