GRAPHIC CULTIVATION : Growing Your Own Symbioink

Lecture-performance and hands-on workshop exploring how graphic practice can move beyond communication and become a process of cultivation. Led by visual ecologist Punxh, the workshop introduces a new bio-based colour system developed through microbial pigments derived from algae, fungi, and bacteria. Through the framework of symbiotic colour, participants will explore how biological systems can inspire alternative approaches to graphic production. The session begins with a presentation of Punxh’s research, exploring the relationship between visual communication, biological patterns, camouflage, and microbial colour production. Participants will then enter a hands-on colour cultivation process, selecting pigments from different microbial sources and transforming them into their own SymbioInk. By grinding, blending, and adjusting pigment combinations, participants will create personalised colour tones and experiment with different graphic applications, including watercolour, fountain pen ink, and screen-printing paste. Through this process, Graphic Cultivation proposes a different role for the graphic practitioner: not only as a communicator of images, but as a cultivator of relationships between living systems, materials, and visual expression. Meet your instructor Punxh Peerasin is a visual ecologist and material researcher exploring the intersection between graphic systems, biology, and living materials. His practice investigates how microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and algae can become collaborators in creating alternative colour systems and regenerative material processes. Through projects such as GROWinK, a fungal-based regenerative printing system, Punxh reimagines design as a living process shaped by relationships between organisms, materials, and environments. Instagram: @punxh @growink_ Extra Info Accessibility Statement: Lifefabs Institute is committed to ensuring that our events and workshops are as accessible as possible and meet the ever-changing needs of our community. As we navigate the opportunities and challenges of our workshops, we are constantly learning and adjusting our workflows to prioritise accessibility. We’d love to hear any feedback our community might have. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any specific accessibility requirements or questions. Seating: Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at [email protected] and we'd be more than happy to help. Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing [email protected] Support to Attend Our Events & Workshops Lifefabs Institute may be able to offer financial assistance to enable adults or children to participate in our events and activities if this would otherwise be financially difficult. Please contact our team: [email protected] and we will aim to agree a reduction or bursary or wavier your fee free of charge.