Events Calendar

Exhibition title: Lacock Botanicals
 
These images, known as 'sun prints' or 'photogenic drawings' were created using the very first photographic technique from the dawn of photography, invented at Lacock Abbey by William Henry Fox Talbot in 1837. 
 
I travelled to Lacock, in Wiltshire England, in July 2011 with help from a Central Otago Arts Council Scholarship, and a Trustpower Lend a Hand Foundation grant, where I was fortunate enough to spend time at Lacock Abbey, learning Fox Talbot's original techniques from Mark Osterman and France Scully Osterman, probably the world's best historic process tutors.  It was truly a unique opportunity and an absolute privilege (as well as fantastic fun!).
 
Fox Talbot was essentially a frustrated artist - he couldn't draw, but wanted a way to create a permanent image - thus, using his scientific knowledge, photography as we know it was born.  His earliest images were created by placing a leaf, a flower or some lace onto a piece of sensitised writing paper, and placed in the sun - hence the name 'sun prints'. 
 
The simplicity of capturing an image of nature, using the sun, appeals to me; as does the sensitising of the writing paper in order to make this image.  Every image is absolutely unique (making 'copies' from a negative came later) as indeed is the subject matter.  It's also a very contemplative process as you watch the image appear before your eyes in bright daylight, from something as simple as salt and silver on writing paper.
 
These images were created using botanical specimens from the garden and grounds of Lacock Abbey, just as Fox Talbot did.

Location

8 Centennial Ave