the rinse indigo dye container in a metal container with a large wooden stick using graphic design to feature 1865, Juneteenth with the collection name.
Juneteenth, A Love Letter To Indigo.
Online Exhibit Release: June 18th, 2026
Merchandise Release: June 19th - June 30th, 2026
Collection: 4 Pieces
Medium: photography + graphic designin · di · go
a deep reddish blue
a blue vat dye obtained from plants (such as indigo plants)Shot & Designed by Monica Renee for The Textile Archive.
Featuring Nebedaye Farms and ROOLE by Gordon Holliday.what is the music artist(s) that intersects the beauty of indigo?
Listen to the song while you look at the collection… it’ll be a whole experience.
KOKOROKO is hands down the sonic representation of the aliveness of indigo. From the rhythm of sway of the hips with a little amplified momentum, and reminder of joy and origin being the root of the music and the story of indigo and the process of natural dyeing with indigo.
This is something that you can listen to in high vibrations and not want to turn off because of the way it heals in gratitude of the moment, of the story, and of the being. The love, passion, and fuel is there, just meant to be taken care of, nurtured in its beauty.
BEFORE creating this exhibit and understanding that it was time to come out with my debut online exhibit, I had attended the Kokoroko show in Charlotte, NC with my partner and friends. The beautiful DJ in the city niyahwhya was opening for them (check out her opening set linked) and A. I knew I had to be there to support this beautiful moment and B. I had to witness this amazing band. I felt like I was on the most beautiful Carribean or African coast living my most radiant life with community, amazingly nourishing and delicious food, and the best sound.
Getting the Sweetie tee shirt, witnessing the authenticity of the room, and then… speaking to the artists after - I saw the beauty in each band members story and in a unique way they came together to be their most authentic selves and sharing that with the world through music and fashion.
This is what it feels like when you encounter the beauty of indigo - also defined as intuition, wisdom, and inner reflection.
100% cotton fabric dyed by Gordon Holliday with quote by Monica Renee.
Indigo blue hands holding african brown cotton seeds using a vector style graphic design.
where is the origin location of INDIGO derived from?
japan.
africa.
india.
china.
mexico.
My StoryThis for me has been a space of becoming an artist that I register as becoming healed, learning with a curious mind, determination that leads the path known, protected at the core, enjoying the moment, rooted and enlightened by my peers.
Origin and where you have been are important pieces of life, however, a material may be rooted in being one color instead as it goes through a healing and rewarding process that had to be learned, nurtured, and transformed truly creates a new beautiful color through it’s unique dyeing process.
Rewarding the hands that dye it’s color that is so vibrant, holds power in nature, and most importantly… alive for the one who wears it.
Fun FactWhen I was 17 years old last year of high school I attended a camp called PERSIST through MSEN PreCollege Program at North Carolina State University with Mr. Braska Williams Jr. and a team of educators and leaders that enriched students in North Carolina through STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Science) for this program it was focused on a partnered project with a graduate student at NCSU with a focus in our interest area, mine… textiles and fashion. I was partnered with Dr. Carol and a graduate student that was studying natural fibers naturally dyed and following continued into NCSU’s textile summer program where graphic design took lead in my textile design project.
Indigo hands with nails on clay pot used as the indigo dyeing vat.
the confidence in culture deserves quality.
quality living and being.
beauty on both sides of the leaf .
leading with care, education and legacy.
a room of art.
a language of love.
a space that is safe.
a community that is mighty.
a craft that is healing.
a you that thrives.
Thank you for taking a look at my online exhibit, this is just the beginning and soon to come on Friday the 19th, Juneteenth. I will have the featured art in my collection here available for purchase in postcards, prints, and more from June 19th until the 30th will any items be sold from this collection .
XO,
By Monica Renee
Want to learn more or support me in turning this into an in person exhibit, or book my photography?
contact me on my contact form
email me at bymonicarenee [@] gmail.com
follow me on instagram and tiktok [@] bymonicarenee
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