As a photographer, I document what is happening around me, without thought. It’s the reflex of an artist, in printing the images however, using such an old process, the images become much more than a photograph. Alternative process requires that the light sensitive emulsion be painted on the paper. The act of painting means there is a very physical process of involvement in the creation of the photo. Particularly with gum bichromate prints the interaction of the colors– arguing… fighting with each other is my way of dealing with the immense anger and animosity towards the issues of health in my family.
The emotion that causes me to become aware of the images and click the shutter becomes represented in the print. The resulting images appear very different than the ones I initially shot with my camera, as if the clicking of the shutter was only a trial image, and through the printing process a new image is formed which becomes the final product. The prints resemble the image taken, but contain more depth and an archaic nature. It is through the printing that I am forced to deal with the image, see it and interact with it, because unlike when the image was taken I cannot hide behind the camera.
This work is ongoing.