Fixing the shadows. A photographic exploration of beginnings and endings

EDITION

2023, Winner

school

University of Cape Town, South Africa

links

@vanessacowling

“Fixing the Shadows” is a photographic project that focuses on processes of cameraless photography and seeks out new ways to work with darkroom-based photography that I regard as less environmentally and personally destructive. I explore how methods of fixing an image trace can technically represent a form of mending, which I associate with the practice of care. The project is reliant on the reciprocal relationship between myself and plants, acknowledging plant agency. Together with students, family, friends and colleagues, I have planted and grown a sustainable photographic garden. It is a gesture of reciprocal practice to heal a small piece of ground, which is indicative of a larger world in environmental crisis.