Colours for Change Exhibition: A Natural Dye Journey

On display from February 6th – March 30th 2026 | 10am – 4pm

AO Textiles presents ‘Colours for Change’, an exhibition mapping their pioneering journey with natural dyes. As a forward-thinking research and design consultancy, AO Textiles is leading sustainable innovation in the UK textile industry.

Established in 2007, AO Textiles unites three designers with a shared vision.

Penny Walsh, a master colourist with lifelong expertise in historic natural dyeing; Karen Spurgin, a surface designer and embroiderer; and Emma D’Arcey, a specialist in marbling and printmaking, came together to address the growing need for sustainability in the textile industry.

This exhibition explores the work of AO Textiles and how it is redefining colour for the 21st century, developing dye systems that meet modern industry standards while remaining rooted in environmental responsibility. Through collaborations with British textile manufacturers, dye houses, and land stewards particularly in Somerset, AO Textiles is aligning traditional dyeing practices with contemporary production, laying the groundwork for a local, circular textile system.

The exhibition, under the umbrella of AO Textiles, includes a glimpse into Emma D’Arcey’s research into local Somerset resources and investigates the use of naturally occurring bio-debris and agricultural waste from UK trees to create colour for textiles. Initiated by Emma’s unexpected move to Somerset and building on AO Textiles practice, it continues the focus on scaling dyes through a regenerative approach, emphasizing local production, community, and sustainability. The natural dyes are refined to meet industry standards, producing biodegradable local colours.

The exhibition introduces a seasonal colour palette of UK tree debris-derived dyes spanning the months of May through to November 2024. Colour is sourced from Somerset including the historic Bishops Palace Garden. Additionally, the exhibition showcases five tree-derived colours integrated into heritage jacquard woven fabric. The bronze colour is sourced from fallen pear leaves from The Bishop’s Palace Garden. The fabric is woven from certified peace silk, which offers the most environmentally sustainable option of yarn compatible with the jacquard looms at Gainsborough Silk Weavers.

Admission

Entry to this exhibition is included with any standard admission ticket to The Bishop’s Palace, including the Annual Pass, Day Tickets, Joint Ticket with Wells Cathedral and Friends of the Palace.