Kampung women create beautiful cyanotype prints using leaves and sunlight.
KUCHING, 3 February 2025 – A product design workshop was successfully conducted over the weekend at Kampung Pasir Pandak, engaging local women entrepreneurs in commercial product design through leaf printing and cyanotype printing. The workshop is part of the Frugal Artist-in-Residence Programme for Playful and Co-creative Community Engagement in Environmental Awareness and Impact (FAiR), which is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and supported by the IEEE Sarawak Subsection.
The event, held from 8 p.m. on 1 February until 4 p.m. on 2 February 2025, aimed to explore artistic possibilities while fostering awareness of environmental conservation and sustainability. It featured two primary artists, Ms Angelina Bong and Ms Noorhaslina Senin. Angelina Bong, a Sarawakian-born poet and visual artist, is known for her expertise in acrylic, mixed paint, black and white ink illustrations, and haiga. Meanwhile, Noorhaslina Senin, a Senior Lecturer in Design Technology at the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, UNIMAS, specialises in graphic and publication design, with a strong passion for community-based initiatives.
The workshop commenced with an evening class on leaf printing, where participants explored the unique shapes and textures of leaves, weeds, flowers, and mangrove/coastal plants, which are often overlooked. Using acrylic paint, they replicated the natural patterns onto paper, encouraging creativity in composition and layout while fostering a deeper connection with nature. A significant highlight of the session was the collaborative effort between the artists, community members, and the FAiR team in producing a 2-metre-long calico cloth decorated with intricate leaf prints.
On the second day, the focus shifted to cyanotype printing, an artistic technique that blends science with creativity. Participants were guided through the process, which aligns with the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) approach and experiential learning, to create more than 20 cyanotype prints on various paper types. The materials used included leaves, weeds, flowers, and mangrove/coastal plants. During the reflection session, the participants brainstormed ideas for branding their cyanotype creations as potential touristic craft products. The workshop’s theme, The Shades of Blues, highlighted the symbolic connection between the blue hues of cyanotype prints and the identity of the coastal community.
The FAiR team supporting this initiative comprised Associate Professor Dr Jacey-Lynn Minoi (Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, UNIMAS), Associate Professor Dr Aazani Mujahid (Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS), Noorhaslina Senin, and Nurhana Aqasyah binti Khaidzir. Their guidance and expertise contributed to the success of the workshop, empowering the local women entrepreneurs with new creative skills and entrepreneurial ideas.
This initiative not only nurtures artistic expression but also strengthens the community’s appreciation for environmental sustainability through creative engagements. The participants left the workshop inspired and eager to develop marketable craft products that reflect the natural beauty and cultural essence of Kampung Pasir Pandak.
Photos by Fitzpatrick Anak Ricky Guing (UNIMAS Corporate Communications)