Sakura
2023-25
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Sakura, n. cherry blossom
A symbol of renewal and hope, and the transience of life.
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The tree-based images in this book capture the cherry tree in my garden and moments from solitary walks taken over the last eight years in and around my home town of Letchworth Garden City, UK. The blue cyanotypes (invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel and one of the earliest photographic processes) and black and white analogue prints were originally produced as part of experimentations to develop more sustainable working methods in my practice, supported by Arts Council England. The cyanotypes were contact printed using paper negatives, created from original iPhone images, and coated with beeswax to make them translucent. The black and white analogue images were taken on expired 35mm film and printed on vintage ORWO paper, and developed using a homemade plant based developer, which included cherry blossom.