The Full Story
About Dream Fields Indigo
My name is Nina, and I am from Taiwan. With a passion for traveling and exploring new things, I re-examined my career path after a period of rich overseas experiences. In 2014, after working and living in London for a year and a half, and traveling through Europe for three months, my journey into indigo dyeing began to take shape. I found my life’s calling through my mother’s handmade dyed fabrics. Every time I see a piece of fabric naturally dyed with indigo, it sparks my endless enthusiasm for the craft. This passion led me to deeply explore Taiwan’s traditional indigo dyeing techniques. In 2016, I successfully completed the Natural Dyeing Talent Training Program (Module 2: Natural Dyeing) at the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, and I have since dedicated myself to becoming an indigo dyeing artisan.
In 2017, I took this skill with me to Vancouver, Canada, where I introduced indigo dyeing to a broader audience through handmade markets. In September 2018, I co-hosted an exhibition in Vancouver called "4 in Room" with artists from four different countries. In 2019, I traveled solo in South America for seven months, visiting various dyeing villages and artisans. This journey greatly broadened my horizons, and I helped local communities promote and sell handicrafts online.
In 2020, I returned to Taiwan and established my own indigo dyeing studio, actively participating in various markets to promote this traditional art. In 2022, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area after marrying my American husband, starting a new chapter of life. After becoming a mother, I have placed even greater importance on helping children of overseas Taiwanese families connect with and inherit traditional crafts. I began collaborating with the Little Bookworm Chinese Library, established by the Kai Xin Education Foundation in Menlo Park, offering parent-child indigo dyeing workshops and a summer art camp (Summer 2024), aiming to inspire the next generation’s interest and passion for traditional arts. In September 2023, I gained further recognition when I was invited for an exclusive interview by the World Journal, the largest Chinese-language media outlet in the U.S., which acknowledged my personal efforts and the cultural significance of indigo dyeing. Some of my products are also now sold at Google’s Visitor Experience Center.
In the future, I hope to bring Taiwan’s indigo dyeing into local American communities and schools. Through continuous learning, exploration, and innovative teaching methods, I aspire to present this ancient art in a unique way to the world, showcasing the beauty of Taiwan’s indigo dyeing.
My Timeline
2016/June, Studied at the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute in Nantou, Taiwan.
2016/Nov.-2018/Nov., Lived in Vancouver, Canada, working and saving money to support my dreams. Occasionally, I participated in local markets, and I planned to travel to South America one day to learn about weaving.
2017/Sep., Joint exhibition called "4 in room" in Vancouver with artists from Japan, UK, and Canada.
2018/Nov.-2019/July, I embarked on a solo journey in South America for eight months, visiting weaving villages and textile artisans in Peru.
2020/ April, Officially established my own Indigo dyeing studio in Taiwan and become my full-time job.
2021/Sep., Became a mother and moved to the Bay Area in California, USA, where I aim to introduce Taiwanese blue dyeing to people in the United States.
What is Indigo?
Indigo refers to a deep and rich blue color that is often associated with the color of the dye derived from the indigo plant. It is one of the primary and historically significant colors used in art, textiles, and various other applications.
Indigo as a color is situated between blue and violet on the color spectrum. It is known for its calming and soothing properties, often symbolizing wisdom, intuition, and spiritual awareness. The term "indigo" is also used more broadly to describe a range of hues in the blue-violet color family.
In terms of the indigo plant, it is a flowering plant, scientifically known as Indigofera tinctoria and several related species. The plant's leaves are the primary source of indigo dye. The process of obtaining the indigo dye involves harvesting the leaves, soaking them in water, and allowing them to ferment. During fermentation, the glycoside indican present in the leaves is broken down into indoxyl, which then oxidizes to form insoluble indigo pigment. This pigment is collected, dried, and processed to create the indigo dye.
Indigo dye has been used for centuries in various cultures around the world for dyeing fabrics, creating vibrant blue hues, and is highly valued for its colorfastness and enduring appeal.
