Photograms of glass castings- using glass as a negative

            The series“Finger Print” contains convincing realistic body characteristics combined with surreal, ethereal qualities. Many of the prints have ambiguous markings, a small number, letter, or symbol, to suggest a forensic examination. Because the image resembles a detached finger through form and representation of skin texture, it suggests ideas of dissection and study. The object used to make the print, compared to the photo image, becomes less important and easily dismissed. However, the photo image takes on a completely different impact through its scale, contrast, and detail while retaining the same qualities of the original object. It is this visual impact that exploits the material choices and creates a new perspective of the subject and material.

         My inspiration for the “Finger Print” series is from documents of early microscopic discoveries. These early hand drawn records showed forms that exist beyond what we can see with our eyes. The photographic process of using the enlarger to project light through an object of glass enlarges the view of the object in the same way a microscope functions. This process creates a metamorphosis of our perception of the object and our body.