In 2020, Liz Williamson began inviting colleagues in Australia and India to colour fabric with eucalyptus leaves collected locally. Once received in her studio, the fabric was stripped and woven into panels referencing the traditions of woven rag rugs and ‘making do’ where ‘new’ items are made from old or readily available materials. This collaborative project explores local colour, cultural connections, and shared weaving traditions. Since 2021, the project has expanded to connect with more colleagues in Australia and India as well as other countries touched by the Indian Ocean – Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Thailand. Extending from Williamson’s research into experiments with Australian natural dye plants and unique colours extracted from locally sourced plants, the Weaving Eucalypts Project features 100 panels woven by Williamson with fabric dyed by 60 collaborators with over 50 eucalypts species identified and sourced from over 50 locations. Liz Williamson, Weaving Eucalypts Project 2020-22 (installation view UNSW Galleries) Silk dyed by artists in Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa with locally sourced eucalyptus leaves, bark or twigs; dyed silk handwoven as weft into a linen and cotton warp. Courtesy of the artist, Sydney Photograph: Jacquie Manning