​GALIT MASTAI is a Vancouver based Fibre Artist. Her work explores themes in landscape and symbology through the use of macramé, or knot tying, techniques. Mastai’s use of materials is nature based and sustainably minded. She uses biodegradable fibres, such as untreated linen and cotton, which she hand dyes with botanicals, that are often hand foraged, local, and edible.  Mastai obtained her BFA at Concordia University in Montreal. When not tying knots, you can find her teaching Fibre Arts to kids or beachcombing with her family.

Soya milk dip, a traditional Japanese technique used as a mordant, helping the dyes bind with the fibres. After being soaked, it will be dried, then dipped and dried again, then cured for up to a month.

Homemade paints made by thickening the botanical dyes with guar extract.

Ferns from the backyard, heating up to make a dye bath. The ferns will later be strained out before adding ropes to be dyed.

Bark from the Arbutus Tree, native to coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest.

Photo credits: Byron Dauncey, Jennifer Kiel, Galit Mastai,  Jen Tam