Jason Shenai, our director, will be part of the collective exhibition Gaia at Camden Image Gallery
About the work, Jason says:
These prints combine new and old techniques. I emulate the 19th century method of making a photographic print by coating a sheet of watercolour paper with a light-sensitive emulsion and then exposing it by contact printing a large-format negative. In those days the typical light source was the sun, and development was in water. I use an artificial ultra-violet light. I have on ocassion used the sun, but this is rather unpredictable, especially in the UK.
I have adapted and expanded this technique. I use three different negatives and print with three different colours, one on top of another. This is similar to “offset litho” printing.
I originate the photographs using a digital camera and then make the three negatives by extracting the different channels in photo-editing software.
The final print is very much an analogue affair. My emulsion is made from a mixture of disolved Kordofan gum-arabic, different water colour pigments, and potassium dichromate. Paint brushes and developing trays of water complete my kit
As regards the origination of the negatives this done on a digital camera. My theme is the city at night. I sometimes listen to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue when I am working. Colour, music, light and movement are all part of my palette.
Visit the exhibition from 12th – 23rd September 2023
Drinks reception: Wednesday 13th September, 6-8pm
Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6pm
174 Royal College Street Camden London NW1 0SP
