Angono artists urged to explore plant-based dyes, extracts

Artists in Angono, Rizal have been asked to help explore the use of 11 plant-based dyes and colors developed by researchers of an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said a potential research and development project between the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the Angono artists would merge science and art, and boost efforts in building a potentially lucrative Philippine creative economy.

Angono is considered as the art capital of the Philippines.

During a meeting with the Angono artists’ groups and local government officials last week, Dela Peña said the DOST and its units and institutions encouraged the artists to come up with research and development proposals on Philippine arts and culture that could be funded by the DOST.

He said the DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines has been tasked to support research and development projects of the Filipinos.

Celia Elumba, chief of the DOST-PTRI, said one research and development project that could initially be undertaken was the use of the plant-based dyes for textiles in the art compositions of the artists.

The DOST-PTRI said it has completed the research and development stage and is going to fully commercialize the 11 plantbased dye colors and extracts.

The dye colors and extracts were intended for natural fabrics and textiles, and further study for their uses on canvass, paper and other media is needed, the DOST said.