Julie Brook made these beautiful, rich studies using red ochre pigment collected in Otjize, Namibia with three young Himba women. These studies later inspired a fabulous rug made by the Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh. She says:

Over the years I have consistently used raw pigment in my drawing and sculptural work. In Namibia I was introduced to the way in which the Himba women use red pigment rubbed onto their skin. This has both an aesthetic and protective value for them.

Through an unexpected meeting with 3 Himba women in Otjize I was able to collect the red pigment with them. We use the same techniques of crushing and grinding the pigment. I use it dry, whilst they mix it with animal fat and aromatic plants.

The drawings were initially inspired by the sculptural work Suspended Block that reflected light within its own shadow on its lower plane. The drawings evolved to find their own spatial exploration according to the tones and shifts of colour value of the pigment.