CLAUDIA HOLLISTER

As a cyanotype artist, I am captivated by the interplay of light, utilizing my process of alchemy, nature and technology, and the intricate dance between artistry and science. The cyanotype printing techniques, with its rich history dating back to 1842, allows me to explore the delicate relationship between nature and photography without using dangerous chemicals. I create images that evoke a sense of nostalgia and wonder, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty of flowers through cyanotypes.

 

Since covid lockdown, my garden has become my sanctuary and source of inspiration. Photographing with my iPhone, I use my creativity to allow the unique compositions of flowers to transcend beyond what the camera sees. The distinctive blue hues, characteristic of cyanotypes, emerge through exposure to UV / sunlight, a process that emphasizes the transient nature of light and time. Reminding us of the importance of our relationship to nature in our lives.

 

My process consists of alchemy, nature, technology, artistic license and timing. I photograph in my studio in natural light using my iPhone. From these images I create a negative, printed onto transparency film. The film is placed under glass, on paper I have coated with UV sensitive solution, and set in the sun until it is developed. Dropping the exposed paper in water, watching the magic as the print oxidizes and the positive image appears.

 

My current one-of-a-kind cyanotype collages showcase my garden flowers with vintage vessels, as elegant still life floral narratives. I see my collages as an exploration of change both in materials and in perception. Utilizing unusual papers and techniques for my background wallpaper, and introducing hand-tinted colors to some gives a modern edge to a vintage process, creating an interesting conversation between unique antique vessels and elegant floral arrangements that ultimately shapes the outcome of the pieces.

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In this time of digital creation, I value the tangibility and unpredictability of traditional techniques. Each print and collage are a testament to the process, where the unexpected results spark new ideas. I strive to create pieces that encourage viewers to slow down, engage with the details and enjoy the beauty of my vision of vintage modern cyanotypes as art.