PRESS RELEASE INDIGO

Egyptian Mummies to Blue Jeans Jenny Balfour-Paul

The compelling story of the worlds oldest, most magical and bestloved dye

Indigo presents endless possibilities for learning across various disciplinesits incredible story is a gateway to connect the personal experiences of our everyday lives (for example our own ubiquitous blue jeans) with the history, geography and culture of the whole planet.. Yo-Yo Ma, Grammy-award-winning cellist and founder of the Silk Road Project Produced from plants by a process akin to alchemy, indigo has a unique chemistry that renders it compatible with all natural fibres. From the time of the ancient Egyptians it made an incredible impact worldwide as the worlds only source of blue of every hue, and was also indispensable for creating a glorious range of colours when combined with other natural dyes. It is hard to imagine the incredible impact indigo must have made on the many civilizations that chanced upon it. This classic study, reissued with a new final chapter, examines this extraordinary dye from all angles: the historical, agricultural and botanical origins of the different plant sources; different production and dyeing methods; commerce and economics; various patterning techniques used on a wide range of beautiful textiles; indigos continued presence in folklore, art and alternative medicine; and its iconic status as the dye that makes blue jeans blue. The accumulation of over twenty years research on the subject, Indigo: Egyptian Mummies to Blue Jeans is the richly told story of a commodity that has been central to international trade and textile production for centuries, across time and cultures. Set against the industrial story of the development of a synthetic substitute for Indigo, the new final chapter explores modern revivals and possible future applications of the dye, highlighting its potential as one the most viable organic dyes available to use in textile production. A new edition of a standard work, Indigo: Egyptian Mummies to Blue Jeans has renewed significance today as we look towards the possibility of a sustainable textile industry. Richly illustrated throughout with stunning details and scenes from around the world, this is the definitive study of the fascinating dye behind blue denim. The book of books on Indigo Hali Magazine Publishing September 2011 272 pages, 150 colour illustrations, ISBN 978 0 7141 5096 3, PB, 19.99 Available exclusively from www.britishmuseumshoponline.org from 19 August 2011

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Jenny Balfour-Paul is an Honorary Research Fellow at Exeter University, and a Fellow of Londons Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Asiatic Society and New Yorks Explorers Club. A writer, artist, lecturer and intrepid traveller, she is author of two books on Indigo, and a forthcoming book relating her adventures with a Victorian traveller and indigo planter. Jenny was consultant curator for the Whitworth Art gallerys popular 2007 touring exhibition Indigo, a Blue to Dye For and consultant for the American 2011 documentary film Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo. She is involved in research into dyes in shipwrecks, is a partner in 'Silk Road Connect', an educational initiative launched by cellist Yo Yo Ma's Silk Road Project in New York in 2009, and promotes revivals of natural dyes worldwide. Saturated with decades of love and knowledge[Jenny Balfour-Pauls] text pleads for physical pleasure in our clothes and her pictures hit true blue notes all around the world. The Guardian [Jenny Balfour-Paul] involves her readers in all the excitement of her research [she] combines practical wisdom with a tireless search for historical evidence. Times Higher Educational Supplement Jenny is available to contribute to all media features video, audio and press surrounding the publication of Indigo. For review copies, author enquiries or images please contact Sarah Morgan, Marketing and Publicity Executive, The British Museum Press on 020 7079 0946 or smorgan@britishmuseum.co.uk