Inspired by the pioneering work of English botanist and artist Anna Atkins, Wild Eye presented an exhibition of sun prints or cyanotypes created by the Scarborough community.
In partnership with Scarborough-based artist Jacqui Barrowcliffe, Wild Eye launched the exciting community artwork display at Scarborough Market Hall during Summer 2023.
Connecting with Paul Morrison’s new sculpture Sea Oak, which takes inspiration from bladderwrack seaweed, a series of free creative workshops took place for local groups. Participants created unique seaweed sun-prints or cyanotypes by placing objects on special paper and exposing the paper to sunlight.
A number of diverse local groups, including Scarborough Sixth Form, Scarborough Disability Action Group, Gallows Close Community Centre, Barrowcliff Primary School, and members of the public, actively contributed to the workshops.
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A shop window with a display of cyanotypes created by the local community.© Richard Ponter -
Artist Jacqui Barrowcliffe and three generations of participants in the After Anna project, in front of a shop window with a display of sun print photograms.© Richard Ponter
The project, After Anna: Blueprint Impressions from Today’s Seas, was inspired by the pioneering work of Anna Atkins, an English botanist and artist, whose extensive study “Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions (1843 – 1853)”, is considered the first book to have been illustrated with photographic images. Some sources say that she was the first woman to create a photograph.
During a series of free creative workshops, Barrowcliffe taught participants how to develop the seaweed sun prints using the same technique used by Atkins.
The artwork on display was created using seaweed and plastic litter found on Scarborough’s beaches. These items inspired discussion on the important role of seaweed for carbon capture and marine biodiversity, and the devastating impact pollution has on the ocean environment.
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Creative workshops for local groups to create unique seaweed sun-prints or cyanotypes© Richard Ponter
After Anna: Blueprint Impressions from Today’s Seas, reflected on how our seas have changed in the 180 years since Atkins’s book was first published, with several species of seaweed now extinct and an ever-increasing amount of plastic litter invading the marine ecosystem.
The exhibition took place from 21st July to 31st August 2023 at 33 Newborough in Scarborough and Scarborough Market Hall.
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Banner displayed at Scarborough Market Hall as part of the After Anna Project.© Richard Ponter -
Banners displayed at Scarborough Market Hall as part of the After Anna Project.© Richard Ponter -
Banners displayed at Scarborough Market Hall as part of the After Anna Project.© Richard Ponter
