with Territory Blue Artist Mandy Tootell

Here at Godinymayin, we began 2023 with the exhibition Territory Blue—a contemporary exploration of Top End bird life by Katherine artist Mandy Tootell on view through 17 March. And now it’s time to get creative and make some art—with this cyanotype workshop on Saturday 18 February!

All materials and supplies will be provided (but bring a hat, because the sun is involved)! Over two hours, the artist will lead participants in the making of solar prints—using photosensitive coated paper and natural materials/objects to produce their own original prints. Here’s how it all works…

Watercolor paper is pre-coated with ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide to create a light sensitive paper (a non toxic chemical process). Participants will place object “stencils”, found materials, and foliage onto their paper and expose that arrangement to direct sunlight. This creates a blueprint using the sunlight to make the image and unique print. Then the paper chemicals are stabilised in a water bath and the new art is hung out to dry. By the end of the workshop, the cyanotype prints are ready to take home, frame, and display!

Using Northern Territory bird and plant life as an inspiration and guided by artist and educator Mandy Tootell, our workshop participants will make several designs during this creative development opportunity. The two-hour session is $45 (materials included) and intended for those 15 or older. It’s limited to 18 places, so register now and get creative in 2023 at Godinymayin!