BLUE
N 36º12.54 E 70º47.36 - AFGHANISTAN
Azure renaissance: reviving ultramarine’s legacy while empowering Afghan women
Ultramarine, derived from lapis lazuli, has been revered in art for millennia. Its rarity and cost once made it more precious than gold. This brilliant blue has captured imaginations and symbolised divine beauty.
6000 years ago, the very first blue used - the true blue - came from the Sar-e-Sang mines in northern Afghanistan. It was this blue that adorned the mask of Tutankhamen and that Cleopatra wore, powdered, as eye-shadow.
Jonah X Blue will recreate Afghanistan’s legendary ultramarine pigment from its original source of the lapis mines in Badakhshan and promote its use in the contemporary art world. A select handful of leading artists are creating works of art using our pigment. These will be sold at an auction in Spring 2027 and proceeds from the sale will go to empowering women in Afghanistan through microfinance and heritage projects.
We believe that the success of BLUE will act as a force multiplier, paving the way for more female led buisinesses, this encouraging a wider acceptance of female participation in Afghan society.
Joanh X Blue is generously supported by the Tavolozza Foundation who have funded our initial production of ultramarine pigment and a research trip to the wild mountains of Badakhshan.
