Blue

Axel Becker (b. 1951) is the last indigo dyer in Europe whose work is based on original formulas from 1847. For over thirty years, he has devoted himself to the centuries-old technique of resist-printing, whereby variegated white patterns emerge after dyeing natural fabrics such as linen or cotton a deep blue. In his remote studio in Trøndelag, Norway, his unique creations elevate this craft into an art form.

Blue tells the story of a craft in danger of disappearing and, at the same time, of the person keeping it alive. Drawings from diaries, sketches, and scenes from his workshop guide us through Becker’s life and his encounters with masters of indigo-dyeing from Germany, India, and Japan. A fascinating book on craft, sustainability, and the value of slowness as a pushback against an age defined by speed and consumption.