Using found images of cactus, coral and tree bark, I manipulated and deconstructed them digitally to reconstruct a new image to represent their biological makeup. They have been printed digitally on several unique handmade and globally sourced papers. The images on paper were printed a second time using oil-based relief printmaking inks in keeping with traditional monotype technique. Each strip of paper is totally unique, each fold and curl describes it's form, like the DNA. A reconstruction of a life form from the decaying matter of another (the paper itself).
My hope with this project was to create organic forms, from organic materials, and over time document their decay. During the processes of digital and monotype printing, I thought a lot about the oils and toxic ingredients in inks I applied. I applied heavy metals, alcohol-based solvents, and industrial cleaning solvents throughout the monotype process in excess to push the inks in such a way that they resembled microscopic organisms. The paper was soaked through and took about a week to dry. I imagined what these oils and toxins would do to the living organisms in the images I was reconstructing.
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