Alternative Photography Workshop

Sayako Sugawara LG will be running a “Chemigram, Chemilumen (and other hybrid-processes) with Plant Developers” workshop at Lewisham Art House on Sept 14

images: developing activity and phyto print by Sayako Sugawara

Book a place on eventbrite/chemigram-chemi-lumen-plant-developers

About the Workshop: A day of experimentation and learning as an introduction to a more sustainable approach to photographic image making in a small group setting. In addition to the Chemigram process using plant developers, in this whole day session you will get to experiment with the Phytogram process.

Chemigram Process: The Chemigram process occupies a space somewhere between painting and photography. Discover how to work with chance and observation to create unexpected and magical images using everyday household materials such as honey, butter or oil in combination with light sensitive photographic paper. The approach to image making can be as minimal or as intricate as you like.

Plant Developers: In this workshop we will be using plant developers which is less toxic and more sustainable than ordinary photographic developers. You will be introduced to the thinking behind this approach and how to make the developers.

Workshop Structure: The first part of the workshop will introduce you to each technique with examples of artists’ works. The second part of the session you can spend time working with the process or processes of your choice in your chosen speed. Group and individual support is given throughout the workshop.

10:30 – 1:00 Introduction to the day. Starting with history and artists’ examples on Chemigram and other hybrid processes and Plant developers . This is followed by demonstrations and participants’ practical activity.

1:00 – 1:30 Lunch

1:35 – Recap and review from the morning session.

1:45pm – 4pm Participants’ practical activity.

4:00 – 4:30 Group Review

All materials including seasonal garden plants, photographic paper and chemistry is provided. However, feel free to bring your own materials such as plants, textured materials and exposed/expired photographic paper.

If you prefer to wear an apron please bring one along with you.

About: I am a London based Japanese artist working with a variety of photographic processes, moving image and installations. The transformative quality of the different photographic processes fascinates me as it allows me to make associations and explore memory and imagination. To find out more about my practice please visit my IG account and website.

phyto print by Sayako Sugawara