Sisters: A Cyanotype Series by Suzi Hyden

The Dayton Society of Artists is pleased to present Sisters, a cyanotype series by our member Suzi Hyden. This show runs concurrently with the DSA’s annual juried show, PEACE TALKS.

About the Work:

These Sisters find their perfect expression through the timeless and environmentally conscious medium of cyanotype on rust dyed, repurposed, vintage clothing. Inspired by females who have preceded us, each vintage gown represents a timeless woman, each with her distinct experiences and memories, personalities and strengths. The repurposed metal fencing and tomato cages are shaped to suggest her attitude; the cyanotype of botanicals hint to her character, drawing upon symbolic meanings of the featured plant from various folk cultures and traditions; the rust-dying whispers her past, suggesting the lasting marks of her life-lessons. I invite the viewer to spend time getting to know each Sister; let her tell you her personal story of her experiences as a woman, and thank her for her sacrifices to help women continue to strive forward in our modern days.

About Suzi Hyden:

I am a cyanotype artist whose work celebrates the environment by combining elements from nature and repurposed materials. I use local botanicals and other objects I find in nature to create my cyanotypes, which are also known as sun prints or blueprints. Cyanotype is an eco-friendly, non-silver, alternative photographic process. Images expose in the sun, develop in water, and the main chemical component is iron, the most abundant element on the planet. In addition, I show my love for nature by repurposing materials for my art. I often recycle vintage fabrics, reuse papers, and repurpose found objects as the substrates and framing for my cyanotypes. Ensuring that art is accessible to everyone is one of my primary goals when I lead workshops, and cyanotype is a process that practically anyone can successfully do.