In Praise of the Oak Gall Wasp was a process-led project full of experimentation (and failure), hosted by AgaLab in Amsterdam.
Ink made from oak galls (also called oak apples or oak nuts) was used for making a silkscreen print that became part of a three dimensional collage juxtaposing various components that refer to the ink making process. The Polaroid of galls on an oak tree branch that was used for the print is part of my The Museum Within Me: Black & White Polaroids project.
The oak galls (also called oak apples or oak nuts) used for this work were collected in the Molise region, Italy. In Europe the galls are created by the female Biorhiza Pallida, the oak gall wasp who lays single eggs in developing leaf buds of oak trees. The oak bud is infused by chemicals from the larvae’s secretion and changes slowly into a gall and forms a protective structure that host the metamorphosis of the larvae into adulthood.
Oak gall ink made from oak galls was the standard writing ink in Europe for more than 1400 years. It was used in many famous medieval manuscripts such as the Codex Sinaiticus, the oldest complete Bible. Numerous artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Vincent van Gogh used gall ink to produce their drawings.
To make the ink, the galls are pulverised and subsequently, over a couple of days infused in rainwater. Gradually tannic acid is leached out of the oak galls while the water slowly turns into a brown liquid. Ferrous sulphate is added which will turn the ink black. When exposed to air it will get even darker and become pitch black. Adding gum arabic will create a treaclier substance which makes it more suitable for writing, drawing and printing. Experimentation also includes extracting pigment from the ink before mixing it with gum arabic
In Praise of the Oak Gall Wasp was hosted by AGA LAB in Amsterdam, which has an excellent reputation as a facility for exploring graphic techniques. It offers space and support to artists and designers from all over the world who want to produce work in their well-equipped workshops while drawing on the expertise of its technicians. Through a programme of workshops, lectures, master classes, presentations and residencies AGA LAB shares its expertise and facilities with a wide range of creatives and audiences.
https://agalab.nl
One of AGA LAB’s area of special interest is the use environmentally friendly and sustainable inks. Their Painting Plants project explores the potential application of plant-based inks and dyes and helps to increase the awareness of the importance of biodiversity.
http://www.paintingplants.nl