Rheanna Gilbert
BIO
Rheanna Gilbert is a textile designer and craftsperson specializing in natural dyes and hand printing. Camping and hiking since childhood, she has found joy, peace, and inspiration in Canada’s coniferous forests. As a natural dyer, Rheanna’s textile practice is rooted in respect and appreciation for the natural world, allowing the plants to tell their story on the cloth while minimizing environmental impact. Deeply inspired by travel and Earth's varying landscapes, Rheanna dreams of roaming the world and experiencing its spectacular variety of environments, cultures, and textile techniques.
CAPSTONE PROJECT
THRIVE
Thrive is a collection of yoga and meditation props designed to foster a deeper connection with the natural world through medicinal plant dyes and natural fibers. Printed by hand using wooden printing blocks and silkscreens, the collection’s surface designs honour and celebrate the indigo, marigold, and madder plants which colour the fabric. In contemporary Western society, we are often separated from the natural world which can harm our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. On a larger scale, this sense of separation from nature makes it easier for humans to consistently exploit and destroy the planet as we have for generations. thrive was created to facilitate individual and collective well-being for both human and non-human beings, while minimizing environmental harm and inspiring people to connect with nature, learn about plants, defend the Earth, and heal our collective relationship with the natural world.
FEATURED Work
Title: thrive collection
Dimensions: dimensions variable
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp, Silk, Cork, Botanical Dyes, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive meditation cushions - bloom (detail)
Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 14 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Canvas, Botanical Dyes, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive meditation cushions - moss
Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 14 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Canvas, Botanical Dyes, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive meditation cushions
Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 14 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Canvas, Botanical Dyes, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive yoga bag - bloom
Dimensions: 40.5 x 16.5 x 58.5 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Canvas, Botanical Dyes, Clay Resist, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive yoga bag - sunshine (detail)
Dimensions: 40.5 x 16.5 x 58.5 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Canvas, Botanical Dyes, Citric Acid Paste, Block Printing
Title: thrive yoga bag - moss (detail)
Dimensions: 40.5 x 16.5 x 58.5 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Canvas, Botanical Dyes, Clay Resist, Citric Acid Paste, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive eye pillows
Dimensions: 23.5 x 8 cm, each
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp/Silk Charmeuse, Botanical Dyes, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive eye pillow - bloom (detail)
Dimensions: 23.5 x 8 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp/Silk Charmeuse, Botanical Dyes, Clay Resist, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive eye pillows - moss (detail)
Dimensions: 23.5 x 8 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp/Silk Charmeuse, Botanical Dyes, Clay Resist, Citric Acid Paste, Block Printing, Screen Printing
Title: thrive mat sling - moss
Dimensions: 138 x 3.75 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Webbing, Botanical Dyes, Digital Machine Embroidery
Title: thrive mat slings
Dimensions: 138 x 3.75 cm, each
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Webbing, Botanical Dyes, Digital Machine Embroidery
Title: thrive mat sling - sunshine (detail)
Dimensions: 138 x 3.75 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Hemp Webbing, Botanical Dyes, Digital Machine Embroidery
Title: thrive yoga block
Dimensions: 15.25 x 12 x 10 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Cork, CNC Cutting
Title: thrive yoga block (detail)
Dimensions: 15.25 x 12 x 10 cm
Year: 2021
Materials: Cork, CNC Cutting