Type | Original 3-Dimensional Papercut Cyanotype, 24-carat gold leaf
Materials | Cyanotype, 3d papercut collage, handmade paper, 24-carat gold leaf
15.2in frame diameter x 1.2in frame depth

Inspiration-
Inspired by one of the 20th century’s most influential voices in literature and environmentalism,

Rachel Carson. A visionary marine biologist, conservationist and author, she revolutionised the
environmental movement with her compelling work.
Carson’s eloquent writing combined scientific rigour with a deep sense of wonder for the
environment, making her a powerful advocate for conservation. Carson’s legacy endures as a
champion of ecological awareness, sparking the modern environmental movement and
inspiring ongoing action to protect the planet.
Best known for her groundbreaking sea trilogy—Under the Sea-Wind (1941), The Sea Around Us
(1951), and The Edge of the Sea (1955)—Carson illuminated the intricate beauty and balance of
marine ecosystems. Her vivid storytelling deepened our understanding of the ocean and helped
lay the foundation for a new era of the modern environmental movement, inspiring a generation
of future conservationists.

Technique-
Symphony of the Sea (Rachel Carson’s Love Letter) was created by constructing a hand-cut

collage using female photographic portraiture, scientific specimen illustrations, photographs
and illustrations of marine botanical materials, marine life, fish, corals and sharks. All these
symbols are representative of her studies and passion for marine ecosystems- layered into the
artwork. These elements serve as a reflection of Carson’s connection to the sea and her tireless

efforts to protect the environment. The combination of scientific and natural imagery highlights
both her intellect and her reverence for the natural world.
After coating the handmade paper with light-sensitive chemistry, it is left to dry in a dark room.
The large-scale negative is contact printed onto the paper by exposure to daylight (UV rays). The
print is then processed by thoroughly washing in water to remove any unexposed solution. It can
then be hung to dry, developing to full density Prussian blue after 24 hours.

Once dried, the pieces are cut out and mounted onto the base print to create a multi-layered,
3-dimensional collaged cyanotype and hand finished with 24-carat gold leaf. By going beyond
the blue, I am creating a majestic modern aesthetic to this antiquarian photographic technique. I
hand finish my pieces with precious and chemically treated metals to enhance the textural
quality of the surface, revealing hidden details and creating an evolving luminous landscape.
Allowing each separate element to support the others, not one overpowering the other, adding
depth and uncovering the non perfect surface beauty below. Using naturally occurring
chemicals, cotton and precious metals combined with the sun's rays and water is one of the
purest forms of photosensitive image making that has stood the testament of time from its
discovery in 1842.

Paper
Handmade recycled cotton rag paper
150- 320gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / Medium Rough

Paper-
All my paper is handmade using cotton rags, they are ripped, blended and then made into

pulp, mixing in a binder of vegetarian gelatin before placing into a water trough ready to be
pulled into the paper moulds. The pulp sits on the mesh of the mould, the water is drained,
then the paper pulp sheet is laid in between felt sheets and weights are pressed on top to
draw out the excess water and help bind the fibres. Once the fibres adhere together the
sheets are hung to dry for a week or so until they are ready for use.
Each piece is constructed from scratch, fabricating the paper foundation from ripped and

pulped cotton rags, starting the life cycle, building up the layers. Giving a new lease of life to
an otherwise discarded material. Recycling, reusing, reinventing.
I celebrate the naturally occurring materials I use, the way they were so exquisitely made, letting
their organic textures emanate, the undulations of the paper sheets and the hand deckled
edges be seen.
Each piece of handmade paper is a work of art in itself, the recycled cotton rag pulp creates the
base structure upon which to let my pieces develop. I love watching the way the tones of the
cyanotype chemicals develop on the porous surfaces, the way they evolve during exposure to
natural sunlight and seeing the colour intensify when washing in water.

Dimensions
15.2in frame diameter x 1.2in frame depth
Mount
We use archival float mounting for all of our framed cyanotypes. The artwork floats above
an archival snow-white 8001 museum mount board, to showcase the paper texture and
deckled edging.
Framing
Framed artwork will arrive ready to hang. Each circular frame is handmade in London.
All frames come with gallery spec, Artglass AR70 / 3mm anti-reflective/ 79% UV protected
glazing as standard.
If clients would like a bespoke frame, please let me know as I can have them made in
alternative colours, gilding and glazing options.