Material Memory Studio — Research
Material Research Library
A living archive of material references, historical sources, biomaterial experiments, pigments, binders, and artistic research — accumulated across 12 countries and ongoing studio practice.
Each entry includes what the material is, why artists use it, historical context, basic process, common failures, and Jay's own studio notes. The library grows with each workshop, residency, and research trip.
Browse by Category
Agar Bioplastic
A seaweed-based flexible bioplastic — sheets, films, and castings from red algae
Gelatin Bioplastic
Animal-based flexible bioplastic — warmer, stronger, and more forgiving than agar
Sodium Alginate
Brown seaweed biopolymer — strings, castings, and mould-making via calcium crosslinking
Botanical & Photo Embedding in Bioplastic
Pressing flowers, plants, and photographs into cast bioplastic — the Material Memory Studio signature technique
Starch Bioplastic
Corn, tapioca, and wheat starch bioplastics — the most accessible and food-based biomaterial recipe
Mycelium Materials
Fungal biomaterials — growing mycelium on agricultural waste to produce structural, acoustic, and packaging materials
Plant Fiber — Hemp, Nettle & Bast Fibres
Natural bast fibres from stem plants — textile, paper, rope, and biomaterial applications
Learn & Make
From archive to studio — learn these materials in person
The research here forms the foundation of our workshops and 1:1 material consultations. If you want to work with a specific material — hands-on, in the studio — reach out.