Jo Howell shows her cyanotype sculptures as part of this exciting 2 miles of contemporary Sunderland art.
Sunderland Arts and Culture Trail brings together local artists, businesses, and cultural points of interest in a self-guided walking tour of one of the North East’s finest cities.
This free event, hosted by local businesses and cultural venues, offers the opportunity to experience some of the region’s finest contemporary artists and performers.
Experience over 60 artists across 40-plus venues in one vibrant multi-artist, multi-discipline, multi-venue art exhibition across the city.
The trail is not just an event; it’s an invitation to see the city of Sunderland in a new light and connect with its vibrant artistic community. It’s designed to be easily walkable, making it a perfect way to enjoy the city’s outdoor spaces, fresh air, and independent businesses and venues.
Artist statement
This grouping of works has been an exploration into construction and juxtaposing of various pieces. Using an ethos of re-use, recycle and re-imagine I took my collection of test prints and demo prints and worked them anew.
These works span my 14 year career as a photographic artist. The pieces are made using a photographic process called cyanotype. It produces beautiful blue prints by using uv to set the chemistry. I often teach workshops and this includes doing post processes like toning and bleaching.
The artworks on their own were essentially trash but it is a sin to waste such excellent paper! So over the years I just collected them. I used the backs of some in lessons but after that I just piled them up. That’s when I realised that I had so many that they should become something more.
The various shades in the work are achieved by bleaching the prints and then toning them in natural tannins. Things like tea, coffee, mint, rosemary, turmeric etc
Each individual piece is a snapshot of a couple of workshop sessions.
Tag me in photos ❤️ I’d love to see what you think!