On Saturday 5th September, six participants gathered at the Country Club in Kalgoorlie for a hands-on cyanotype workshop led by Dr Kirsten Hudson, presented by Regional Arts WA as part of the Social Fabric project.

Cyanotype is a camera-free photographic process that uses UV light to create unique blue-and-white images. Over the two-hour session, the participants worked with plants, found objects and transparent materials, composing their own arrangements directly on light-sensitive paper. Each composition was exposed to UV light, then washed by hand, revealing a unique print as the image slowly emerged.

No prior art, photography or science experience was needed, and the workshop was designed to be approachable for anyone curious to experiment. Everyone left with their own original cyanotype prints to take home.

The workshop extended the public program of Light as Voice, a Science Meets Art residency hosted by Palya Walkaly-Walkalypa Gallery at Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison, delivered with support from Curtin Kalgoorlie and funding from the WA Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport.

With a successful first session, Regional Arts WA anticipates running another workshop in Kalgoorlie soon, so keep an eye out for the next opportunity to get your hands inky blue!

Social Fabric is funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund Regional Arts Australia, the Minderoo Foundation, Lotterywest, and Healthway to promote positive health outcomes for our communities.