In Blue
MaxineRose Sanchez and Teressa Danielle Phillips
Cyanotypes on Watercolor and Cotton Paper, 2021
Utilizing the alternative photographic printing process of cyanotype, MaxineRose Sanchez and Teressa Danielle Phillips have created images utilizing photographic negatives, natural materials, and crystal and glass family heirlooms to examine aspects of memory.
Cyanotype is a printing process that creates Prussian blue pigment by coating paper with light sensitive iron salts before exposing it to UV light. The procedure was discovered in the mid 19th century by Sir John Herschel. Originally it was utilized to document biological specimens through photograms and to create images from some of the first photographic negatives. This same process was utilized to create the distinctive look of blueprints.
Teressa is a Post-Baccalaureate student in CSU’s Department of Art concentrating in photography. Her work considers Romantic and Gothic notions of modern life in the Southern United States. She will graduate in December 2021 with a BFA in Studio Art and a Minor in Art History.
Her work for this project utilized crystal and glass pieces from family members as a tie between generations and branches of her family. The first item obtained for her sister-in-law’s hope-chest, a grape motif punchbowl, brings to mind sunny afternoon parties marking the traditional milestones in the life of a woman. Intricately cut crystal bowls have served food to generations at festive holiday and family gatherings. The congregation of her mother-in-law’s delicate crystal stemware mingles as if having a party of their own, possibly to celebrate a successful rocket launch or the moon landing. The light passing through the pieces cast shadows for the prints and through our memories.
