Week Eighteen: Cyanotype Prep

This week I've been learning about cyanotype animations and have been revisiting some previous learning on duo-toning cyanotypes with botanicals. I've been preparing some negatives from local walks along the canal and trips to the allotment ready to print and use. I would like to experiment with toning the prints with plant material collected from the canal and allotment so that I can find a deeper connection to place. On previous foraging trips I came across mugwort and I have been learning about its historical connections to women's health. I'm becoming increasingly interested in using UK native plants that have a symbolic meaning or association to women. There is something quite magical about this and it reminds me of making potions as a child.

Allotment Negative

I'm thinking about the origins of plants and the history of colour too. I've been learning about the history of pigments such as indigo and its link to the slave trade. I've been reflecting on the variety of dye plants that can be grown and questioning which are native to the UK. I've been learning about the connections between medicinal plants and dye plants and their healing properties. I've been reflecting on how I can develop a deeper connection to the land and adopt processes that are reciprocal rather than extractive. Whilst my focus has been on the use of nature-based interventions for health and wellbeing, I am now also thinking about how it can encourage care and stewardship of the natural environment. I am questioning my relationship with plants and the natural world and how this applies to materials within art, design and craft.

Erewash Canal Negative

This week has been a real questioning of the ethics behind my project and how this will shape my values and approaches to creating new work. I will continue to question the 'whys' and the 'hows' as I start to begin making my own natural colours. I will continue to explore colour that is within my local neighbourhood and I will begin to explore colour that connects to my heritage and family history.