Sculptural Geophotography
to explore the inherent noir dishevelment of sea level rise and climate change by creating ‘sculptural geophotographs’ that evoke an ephemeral, intimate, painterly aesthetic.
“Here, indeed, is beauty. Sara has the rare skill of drawing out the intimate, the special, the unique spirit of a place.”
Dame Fiona Reynolds
former Director General of the National Trust
former Master of Emmanuel College Cambridge
PART I of 3:
Examples of Work
in Heritage Architecture
Recent Heritage Photos
Most recent heritage architecture work involves commissioned work for Emmanuel College (star trails above Christopher Wren’s chapel, plus 200 other images), for Paris Musées (Nicolas de Stäel painting), and for the book “Painted Interiors of the British Baroque” (shown here for example a 20-meter long barrel-vaulted ceiling, plus 49 other Baroque murals in England).
Awarded Heritage Photos
Nine Awards over Four Years
for 24 photos and 2 photobooks
Architecture Photography MasterPrize Winner in Cultural Interior Photography (2022); Architecture Photography MasterPrize Winner in Historic Interior Photography (2022); 17th Julia Margaret Cameron Award Professional Series: Digital Manipulation (2021) Honourable Mention; Rubery Book Award Non-Fiction (2021) shortlisted; International Photography Awards Architecture (2020) honourable mention; International Photography Awards Historic Architecture (2020) honourable mention; International Photography Awards Self-Published Books (2020) honourable mention; Historic Photographer of the Year (2019) shortlisted; Historic Photographer of the Year (2018) shortlisted.
Awarded photos and books for the series:
Illuminating Cambridge Libraries
Illuminating Cambridge Libraries heritage architecture series includes over 1800 photos of 31 libraries – one library from each of the 31 Cambridge Colleges. It was a solo series and took 3.5 years to photograph, mostly due to rights/permissions/access logistics. The following 12 photos received awards.
Awarded photos and book for the series:
Focused on King’s College Chapel
Focused on King’s College Chapel heritage architecture series includes over 100 photos and a photo book with 12 poems. The series was accomplished by kind invitation from the Reverend Dean Cherry of King’s Chapel. The following 12 photos received awards.
“I love [Sara’s book, Focused on King’s College Chapel … It] must be the most handsome tribute ever paid to a single building. With its blend of words and diverse visual voices it is an Alleluia Chorus.”
Martin Kemp
Professor of Art History, Oxford
PART 2 of 3:
Examples of Trial Work
in Abstract and Geo- Photography
Recent Geophotographs
A few “sea level rise” trial photographs along the Amalfi coast, Italy (Dec 2022) and Iceland (Aug 2022) as a test of the overarching theory combining intentional camera movement with geophotography.
Three of these photos were selected for the curated group exhibition at the London Lighthouse Gallery in May 2022 (printed on ‘normal’ cotton photo rag paper.)
Awarded Abstract Photos
Three awards in 2021-2022
for 15 photos
18th Julia Margaret Cameron Award Professional Series: Nature (2022) Honourable Mention (six ephemeral photos of trees, not shown here); 18th Julia Margaret Cameron Award Professional Single images: Nature (2022) Honourable Mention (three macro photos of courgette flowers, not shown here); 17th Julia Margaret Cameron Award Professional Series: Digital Manipulation (2021) Honourable Mention (the six shown below).
Earlier studies from 2021 using Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and multiple exposures. These all received Honourable Mention in the Julia Margaret Cameron Awards (2022). I was doubly thrilled at the award because the photos were tests of a new concept – thus reinforcing that I’m on the right path.
PART 3 of 3:
A Future in
Sculptural Geophotography
I want to integrate my PhD in geological science with my abstract fine art photography – to print ephemeral photos of foreboding-noir sea level rise, such as these early tests, onto handmade, natural, slugged papers, then to mount them onto 3D geometric objects – resulting in Sculptural GeoPhotographs.
SKILLS BUILDING:
Skill development via these new techniques will deepen and enhance the resilience of my photography.
MAKING:
Creating ‘sculptural geophotographs’ will enhance my work’s visual and scientific impact, secure it a distinctive place within the art world, and strengthen my art practice.
EXPANDING:
Networking across art and science will diversify my creative vision, thus cultivating new opportunities.
Overall, development of the geophotography concept and incorporation into sculptures will form a solid foundation for my ongoing creative growth via learning, making new types of artworks, and expanding my networks with both artists and scientists.