Knive Money / Sugar, 2025

In this series, Stephanie Comilang embroiders found denim fabrics with intricate depictions of flowers and plant life, referencing the exchange of plants across the colonial trade routes and the historical significance of indigo. Denim, dyed using the indigo plant, carries the legacy of one of the most widely exploited species native to South Asia. Originally called ‘nila,’ the word is derived from the Greek ‘Indikon,’ meaning India. Through this fabric collage, Comilang reflects on historical trade routes linked to indigo production and its ties to labor. By retracing the complex history of indigo as a textile dye, the artist explores themes of colonialism, labor exploitation, and the intersections between natural resources.