Maria Barbu

about

Maria is a Romanian born maker and environmentalist based in East London. She works under the name Marsh&Moor, which reflects the source of her inspiration, and advocates regenerative agriculture, a connection with nature and mindful crafts as ways of nurturing both mental health and the Planet.

Maria naturally dyes regeneratively farmed British wool in small batches for weavers, knitters and other fibre arts lovers to enjoy in their work, as well as running a weaving project, creating one-of-a-kind multifunctional textile pieces which can be both worn and used around the house. Her focus for the past year has been on creating a yarn and woven item which helps the soil thrive, instead of depleting it. Her dream is to be able to engage with the public and explore bringing crafts and nature together, shift the focus from fast fashion and encourage people to find pleasure in making their own clothes.

Maria is a Romanian born maker and environmentalist based in East London. She works under the name Marsh&Moor, which reflects the source of her inspiration, and advocates regenerative agriculture, a connection with nature and mindful crafts as ways of nurturing both mental health and the Planet.

Maria naturally dyes regeneratively farmed British wool in small batches for weavers, knitters and other fibre arts lovers to enjoy in their work, as well as running a weaving project, creating one-of-a-kind multifunctional textile pieces which can be both worn and used around the house. Her focus for the past year has been on creating a yarn and woven item which helps the soil thrive, instead of depleting it. Her dream is to be able to engage with the public and explore bringing crafts and nature together, shift the focus from fast fashion and encourage people to find pleasure in making their own clothes.

Public Programme

In partnership with Waltham Forest Council 

Alongside Maria’s working practice being open to public, people would be able to book her loom in 2h slots for 1:1 tuition , naturally dyed yarn provided, and be able to take home their very own small woven item to hang on the wall, use as a table runner or to give as a gift.

Maria will also organise natural dye workshops for beginners, covering preparing the fibres, equipment, making a plant extraction and working with readymade plant extracts. At the end of it, participants would be able to take home a skein of naturally dyed yarn.

contact information

portfolio

selected by

Roisin Ingleby, Curator of the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow

Roisin specialises in Morris’s international links and influences. She has curated various exhibitions including ‘William Morris and the Bauhaus’ (2019), ‘Distant Fellowship: Morris & South Asia’ (2021) and ‘Young Poland’ (currently on display). Following a post-graduate degree from the Bard Graduate Center, New York, Roisin worked at the V&A Museum, Historic Royal Palaces and Teien Museum, Tokyo. She is currently developing an exhibition exploring Morris’s relationship with the Japanese mingei craft movement.