Rosemary Horn

Rosemary Horn is a New Zealand photographer making nature prints using environmentally friendly processes such as Anthotypes and Photosynthesis.
From: Nelson, New Zealand.
Shows: Anthotypes and Photosynthesis.

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Rosemary Horn is from New Zealand and currently living in Nelson, New Zealand. She completed a degree in design majoring in Photography at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand. Textiles is also an area of significant interest which also informs her work.

During her studies there was opportunity to experiment with alternative processes which led to the body of work shown here. Using alternative processes and approaches to making photographic work sometimes means unpredictable results, and this makes creating work exciting. When you do not know what the final outcome will be you consider each step along the way, every choice becomes a conscious decision and not based on a predetermined notion.

During her final year at university Rosemary completed a research project, she wanted to address her concerns for the environment through the photographic medium. Rosemary felt a change was needed towards using less processed materials and a simplified printing process. The digital environment allows such an ease of creating images and this proliferation produces less and less meaning. Adapting to a slower process alters your use and perception enabling picture making to be very deliberate.

“I enjoy disrupting the precision of the photographic medium.”

Using leaves is a favourite material. Each leaf is fragile, the images are not fixed so still respond to light and they are dry and brittle so require careful handling. These qualities emphasize the fragility of the world we live in while the process of making the prints brings you in direct contact with the processes of nature.

Artists are in a position to communicate ecological concerns that highlight the issues but also demonstrate how to change practices and attitudes. It is each persons responsibility to consider how they impact upon the environment, by altering our processes we can effect change from within our personal and professional practice, as well as creatively expressing our opinions.