An ultra-violet path from grief to joy

The intricate art of sun printing has become a comforting consort for a Manawatū artist coming to terms with the death of her mother.

Picking plants in the sunshine and turning them into art through a technique called cyanotype has helped author and artist Marolyn Krasner through grief, after her mother died unexpectedly in April last year.

‘‘My grief was overwhelming. I would go for long walks down to the river, and I would find plants. Cyanotype has really been quite a lovely companion,’’ she said.

The results of her cameraless photography, that creates photograms with ultra violet light, is on display at Snails: artist run spaces in Palmerston North.

Developed in the 1840s by John Herschel as the original ‘‘blueprint’’, cyanotype was then used by botanist Anne Atkins in 1843 in the first book printed using photographs.

A chemical formula is washed over paper or fabric and left to dry. Then plants or other items are placed on top and exposed to the sun or UV light. The parts of the paper or fabric exposed to the light will turn blue, and everything covered will stay white.

After the paper or fabric has been in the sun, you wash it in water, and watch it completely change colour, bringing the moment of the big ‘‘reveal’’.

Most of her art is in honour of her mother.

‘‘I guess it’s vulnerable because I am open that its part ofmy grief process, but I don’t feel selfconscious about it at all ... it’s like something is being channelled.’’

After positive reactions to her prints she wanted to give others the experience of producing cyanotype art, so ran garden art sessions in people’s backyards, workshops and exhibitions.

She ran a workshop in the Feilding Art Centre, and throughout this month has offered free workshops alongside her exhibition.

Krasner said it was creative and fun, and there was a lack of control which she enjoyed.

‘‘You put your perfectionist in your back pocket.

‘‘There’s a lot of instant gratification.

‘‘It takes about a half hour when it’s low sun or if we’re using the UV light.

‘‘So if you come for 40 minutes, you can leave with a piece of art you made.’’

Krasner has plans for further cyanotype exhibits, including at Space Studio and Gallery in Whanganui in August-September.