Ophelia
 

Ophelia

Gum Bichromate, 105x75, 2019, Unavailable

 

Gum Printing

Gum bichromate printing process dates from 1870 and is one of the earliest methods of photo printing.

The starting point of this series was Tulis’ research on how to make a growing series of iPhone selfies into something opposing the instant gratification of social media. Combining the iPhone selfie practice with a printing practice ground in history to slightly redeem the act of self-inspection from its narcissistic tendencies. Instead of something passing across your screen for a split second, these photos now have bodies of their own, and their own journey in the physical world.

The technique begins with a digital negative, printed on one or a series of A4 transparency papers - the same size as the desired final piece. Then, the artist prepared watercolor paper with a solution of watercolor and gum arabic mixed with a UV sensitive chemical. Exposure to the sun transforms the negative, placed over this mixture, into a positive image.