Cyanotypes (Evolving Realities)
Evolving Realities Artist Statement
Memories shape who we are. This body of work, made up of cyanotypes, and titled Evolving Realities, focuses on memories and how they’ve influenced who I am. I’ve come to learn that the formidable memories are the small intimate ones, like watching my little brother run around with a hammer or seeing my dad balance my sister on his hand. Although these moments are small, they carry a profound meaning over time. The images are layered with landscape and nature photographs taken by myself. They function to distort the memory but also invoke new connections. Some pairings are more direct, like the bowling ball and the jump into a lake, while others are more intuitive, driven by emotions or personal associations, even if there is not an obvious link.
Evolving Realities is centered around "Amalgamation", a large piece where every individual work in the show is layered on top of one another. This piece represents how memories are not separate but interconnected and often become a part of a larger, more complex narrative when combined. The layering of these individual pieces into "Amalgamation" reflects how memories blend and merge over time, creating a unified, evolving understanding of our past.
I created these images using cyanotype techniques, exposing chemically coated paper to UV light to produce a permanent, dreamlike image that reflects the layered nature of memory. The process involves mixing ferric ammonium citrate (Part A) and potassium ferricyanide (Part B) to create a light-sensitive solution for coating the paper. The process, invented by John Herschel and made famous by Anna Atkins in the 19th century, references past methods to preserve moments. Inspired by artist Andrea Chung, I assembled the larger cyanotypes with multiple 8” x 10” inch panels to represent how memories are fragmented, layered, and pieced together over time to create a larger narrative.
The scale of the prints reflects how memories vary in significance. Memories are not linear; recent ones can feel like wisps or slivers, while older ones occupy more space and are strikingly clear. Smaller prints are more distant memories, while larger prints are more vivid. I invite viewers to reflect on the subtle ways in which memories evolve, shape our identities, and recontextualize themselves over time.