Sophia Collender's Open-Source Experimental Paint Archive Promotes Biodegradable, Non-Toxic Art Materials
Artist Sophia Collender has launched the Experimental Paint Archive, an open-source collection of biodegradable, non-toxic, and reusable fine art materials. The project, developed through ITP's biomaterials lab and home kitchen experiments, iterates on historical paint recipes and biomaterial formulas to minimize hazards in creating art materials from scratch. The archive documents techniques that rethink the conventional pigment + binder + liquid vehicle formula, including conductive and magnetic materials. Collender's work, presented during ITP Thesis Week 2026, aims to democratize material experimentation by making recipes publicly accessible. The archive includes samples such as copper paint, watercolors, and magnetic paint surfaces, all crafted by hand. The project was featured on designboom via its DIY submissions feature and edited by Christina Vergopoulou.
Key facts
- The Experimental Paint Archive is an open-source collection of biodegradable, non-toxic, and reusable fine art materials.
- Created by artist Sophia Collender.
- The project was developed by iterating on historical paint recipes, biomaterials recipes, and existing precedents regarding conductive and magnetic materials.
- Most results were achieved by mixing materials by hand in ITP's biomaterials lab and at home in the kitchen.
- The archive rethinks the conventional pigment + binder + liquid vehicle formula.
- The project was presented during ITP Thesis Week 2026.
- The archive includes samples such as copper paint, watercolors, and magnetic paint surfaces.
- The project was featured on designboom via its DIY submissions feature and edited by Christina Vergopoulou.
Entities
Artists
- Sophia Collender
Institutions
- ITP
- designboom