Leeds Creative Labs x Bradford Producing hub

2024, Collaborative R&D project with Evgenia Ilyinskaya, Associate Professor at the Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, University of Leeds

Our research explored the study of volcanic activity and effects on local populations, air pollution, local botany and the sharing of community knowledge through sustainable and alternative photographic processes.

For Evgenia's field trip to the volcanic island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, I prepared a travelling sustainable photo kit, including instructions for making a pinhole camera, developer from local plants and saltwater fix. I also included information on sustainable camera-less techniques, including chemigrams and phytography. Evgenia visits the island every year to monitor emissions from the Soufriere Hills volcano and engage with the local population about their experiences of living next to an active volcano and its impact on their physical health and mental wellbeing.

Evgenia created a pinhole camera from a washed-up drinks can and exposed images onto Harman direct positive paper. She then developed the paper in a solution made from vitamin C, washing soda, wild tamarind and blue vervain - two medicinal local wild plants found in the exclusion zone - fixing the images with salt water.

She also created phytograms collaborating with local wild plants, and chemigrams onto paper and 16mm film - working with beachcombed coral, and volcanic ash from Soufriere Hills volcano. Once back in the UK, I scanned the filmstrips frame by frame and animated digitally to create a (micro) short film.

Images made by Evgenia on location in Montserrat in May 2024: 1) Abandoned hotel, Plymouth - with a view of the active Soufriere Hills volcano; 2) washed-up drinks can that became a pinhole camera; 3) beachcombed coral; 4) Unidentified plant on Montserrat; 5) Phytogram with poinsettia flower; 6) pinhole photograph developed in blue vervain and fixed in saltwater; 7) chemigram made with volcanic ash, 8) Phytogram with wild tamarind.