So we turned our store cupboard into a darkroom … and here are some of the photographic experiements.

More images are available from Departmentart Flickr page .

The idea of using stains as a theme for the surfaces project came accidentally when I lifted up my cup to see a ring stain left on a piece of cloth. I started to create and develop stains investigating how they reacted with different materials and surfaces e.g. paper, large wooded areas and fabric.

To extend the stains experiments further I introduced photographic chemicals and the Photogram/Raygram process inspired by Man Ray introducing a series of drips and exploring the positive and negative space.

I was very pleased with how the ring stains on the photogram turned out and decided to experiment with these pictures using ICT, scanning them onto photoshop and manipulating the colours.

From there I moved into 3D and relief casting as I wanted to explore the outcome of lifting the stains looking at the height and depth while using the same colour scheme from my ICT experiments.

Recently I have been experimenting with ‘accidental’ stains e.g where a cup of tea was thrown at a white dress, whilst maintaining the colour scheme from previous works.  I’ve  stitched around the stains to enhance them which is influenced by Nava Lubelski who stitches around stains on table cloths, canvas, paper and sheets to expose the beautiful, colourful abstract movement of the stain.

Nava Lubelski

Extra Curricular Photography Project

Rayograph Example: Caro 2007

Rayograph Example: Rachel 2008

Rayograph Example: Bobby 2008

Rayograph Example: Liz 2008