Peerasin Punxh Hutaphaet
GROWinK, MA Material Futures
GROWinK transforms CMYK printing into a living, regenerative medium. Fungi-based pigments and bacterial spores activate in moisture, evolving prints that fade, decompose and nourish soil ecosystems. This self-decomposing ink redefines printing as a living interface, turning colour and communication into real ecological action within nature’s cyclical rhythms.
My background is in visual communication, and I’ve always been passionate about printing and graphic illustration, and creating visuals that inspire a better world. But I began to wonder – what if these messages could do more than just be seen? What if they could actually take real action? Instead of creating new materials, I wanted to design something that could break down what already exists. That led me back to nature, where creation and destruction work together to keep the ecosystem balanced through the roles of bacteria and fungi.
GROWinK is a project that rethinks printing as a living, regenerative process. It combines CMYK inkjet printing with natural fungi-based pigments and dormant bacterial spores. When exposed to moisture, these spores activate, breaking down synthetic materials in the print and turning them into nutrients that enrich the soil.
Different fungi produce specific colours that can replace petroleum-based dyes. Working with microbiologists, I developed an ink where bacteria remain dormant until triggered to start decomposing the material. I tested this on paper and fabric, watching how prints gradually fade, decompose and return to the earth.
Beyond the science, GROWinK invites a conversation about decay – not as an end, but as nature reclaiming its place. The colours aren’t meant to last forever, but to serve a purpose before they self-destruct. This is ideal for exhibitions, festivals or galleries, where prints and banners have a short lifespan. What if these visuals could go beyond communication and help heal the soil? GROWinK turns colour and design into an ecological act, blending art and nature in a cycle of life and renewal. 
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