Artist's Statement
"Seams" is an on-going exploration of the narratives hidden in the textures of old walls and buildings. Through the traditional photographic printmaking technique of platinum & palladium, I aim to capture the intricate connections formed by nature and man interacting with these surfaces over time. Platinum & palladium was selected for this series because the process results in prints with a long and rich tonal range, sublime detail, and radiant luminosity. Each print therefore is able to reveal a subtle tapestry of circumstances: weathered bricks, cracked blocks, and worn plaster all tell stories of resilience, decay, repair, and transformation. The choice of the time-honored printmaking method echoes the craftsmanship of the past, honoring the same dedication and artistry that went into constructing these enduring walls. Each piece reflects the artist's hand, with the complexities and imperfections that arise during creation serving as a reminder of both the material's history and the human experience.
The Concept of Connection
In this series, seams symbolize more than just the physical joints of materials; they represent the merging of histories, cultures, and memories. The walls themselves are testaments to the lives that have interacted with them—each crack and flaw holding within it the weight of experience. Similarly, the platinum & palladium print mirrors this idea, since each print reveals slight imperfections and nuances that occur naturally during creation, blemishes that serve as reminders of the human touch. Just as each wall carries the stories of those who built and inhabited it, so too do these prints embody the unpredictable beauty of the artistic process, inviting viewers to reflect on the intersections that shape our identities and experiences.
Texture and Time
The emphasis on texture in "Seams" invites the viewer to engage deeply with both the prints and the walls they represent. The rich, deep, and velvety surface of the platinum & palladium print acts as a bridge to the tactile qualities of the walls themselves, inviting us to consider the layers of history and craftsmanship inherent in both mediums. Just as the weathered surfaces of bricks and plaster speak to the passage of time, the interplay of light and shadow across the print highlights the intricate stories embedded in those textures and the layers of memory they imply. This convergence of tactile experiences reminds us that in both the physical structures and the prints, there exists a dialogue between the past and the present, articulating the beauty of life's imperfections.
Invitation to Reflect
The juxtaposition of ancient walls and traditional printmaking techniques invites us to reflect on the continuity of artistry and craftsmanship through the ages—how these age-old methods still resonate in our modern lives, bridging past and present in an ever-evolving dialogue. Through "Seams," I invite viewers to pause and consider their relationship with the world around them. As we navigate our own complexities, let us appreciate the architecture of our existence—past and present, layered, interconnected, and rich with stories waiting to be uncovered. In embracing the seams, we can find solace and meaning in the intricacies of life itself.
About Platinum and Palladium Printmaking
Platinum and Palladium printing are two of the original photographic printmaking techniques, dating back to the mid-19th century. A solution of light-sensitive iron salts and the noble metals is brushed onto a sheet of fine watercolor paper to make sensitized photo paper. The sensitized sheet is then exposed to ultra-violet light while in contact with a large format negative (film or digital). Exposure to ultra-violet light, followed by immersion in a developer bath, induces a series of chemical reactions which affix the metals to the fibers of the paper in the form of a finely-toned, archival and stunningly deep print. Each platinum and palladium print is unique: it is challenging, unforgiving, and the results are spectacular, which explains why platinum and palladium prints are valued by artists, collectors and museums across the world.
