In this hands-on workshop, participants will discover the magic of making art with sunlight! Using the historic techniques of cyanotypes and anthotypes, participants will learn how to create striking blue-and-white prints with light-sensitive chemicals, as well as delicate images developed from natural plant pigments. Both processes date back to the 19th century, when artists and scientists used them to record botanical specimens and explore early photographic methods.
Participants will also step outside to explore the neighborhood around 421, gathering leaves, flowers, and found objects to use as natural stencils for their artworks. Back in the studio, they’ll experiment with composition, layering, and exposure to transform these collected fragments into unique prints.
This workshop is designed to spark curiosity about the relationship between art, science, and the environment, showing how something as simple as sunlight can become a creative tool. Each participant will leave with their own handmade cyanotypes and anthotypes—works of art that capture both the process and the moment in time.
Details:
– Sun printing workshop led by exhibiting artist Adele Bea Cipste
– Participants will create images using found objects and pigments from plant extracts
– All tools and materials provided
– No prior experience needed
About the Instructor:
Adele holds a BA in Visual Arts and Film Practice (2022) from NYU Abu Dhabi. Her works have been exhibited at Alserkal Avenue (with Engage101) (2023), Manarat Al Saadiyat (2023), Riga Photography Biennial – NEXT (2023), Gulf Photo Plus (2023), in Tokyo, Japan (with the UAE Embassy in Tokyo & Dirwaza Curatorial Lab) (2023), and Riga Art Space Gallery (2017, 2015). Recently, she participated in the Cultural Foundation Mentorship Programme (with Farah Al Qasimi) (2024-25), the “Spectrum” Photography Residency (2023), and Engage101 Peer Mentorship Program (2023). She was the inaugural recipient of the Tarek Al-Ghoussein Fellowship at NYU Abu Dhabi (2023).