Su Hendeles - Vigil, Photospace Gallery 14th April-7th May 2012

vigil
humans, like other predators, like to mark out their territory
we punctuate our landscapes with grandiose towers
romantic erections
mementos of past follies
we raise pillars of authority to guard our old world order
and the new
they are our landmarks and meeting places
our teachers, jailers and Fat Controllers
they keep us orientated in time and space
watching and listening
they send our messages and hear our answers
sentinels guarding civilisation
loitering with intent
they gaze at us in silent vigil
and we gaze back

photo techniques

The images are produced using digital infra-red capture and are contact printed on to traditional silver gelatin fibre based paper using lith developer. Lith printing is a technique that uses traditional black and white printing to produce colourful images with dark gritty shadows and smooth, delicate highlights and mid tones. The range of hues obtainable is very wide, depending on the chosen paper and the use of toners such as selenium and gold. This allows an image to be interpreted in many different ways. The lith process is idiosyncratic and infinitely variable, making it very difficult to produce two identical prints from any one negative.

Each print is unique.

Arts Background

I am a photographer's daughter and grew up around photographic processes of the chemical kind. I have loitered around with a camera for as long as I can remember. I was an early adopter of digital technology and the expanded vista of photographic imagery that came with it. My interest lies in combining digital and analogue techniques and exploring antique and alternative photographic processes. My weapons of choice are hacked-about digital cameras, toy and classic film cameras and anything that costs less than $50 and will fit in a shoulder bag. My formal training is in medical ophthalmology. I am currently a part-time Bachelor of Fine Arts student at UCOL Whanganui.

Su Hendeles, 2012