Cyanotype Sun Prints
This lesson was the first in a series exploring the Māori creation story. The artworks are based on the moment Tāne separates his parents, Ranginui and Papatūānuku, and light enters the world for the first time to create Te Ao Marama (The World of Light and Life).
We read the creation story from Gavin Bishop's book Atua and discussed what it might be like to exist in Te Pō (The Perpetual Night). We then talked about how life would change as the darkness was pierced by light. The children came up with all sorts of ideas, particularly about growth of life because plants and people need sunlight to live. We also talked about the seasons, weather and shadows.
Thr students created these cyanotype prints to explore Te Ao Marama, specifically how Tama-nui-te-rā (the sun) is essential to human life on our planet. We talked about shadows and how they are created by an object being placed in front of a light source.
I thought cyanotypes would be a fun way of exploring Te Ao Marama and shadows. Cyanotypes are one of the first forms of photography. Paper or fabric is treated with chemicals that turn blue when exposed to sunlight. We used sun print paper, which is easily accessible from photography stores
The students foraged for natural items in the school grounds and placed these on top of the cyanotype paper in the sun and underneath a piece of glass to secure the items. The students were encouraged to think about placement of their items to create interesting artworks.
We left the paper in the sun for about ten minutes and then came back to see the change. They rinsed off the paper and left it to dry and develop further. The kids were thrilled with the process!
A very big thank you to Beau at Island Bay Glass for providing us with glass for this project and to Paul, our caretaker, for making the edges of the glass safe!
We shared these artworks as part of the South Coast Arts Trail in February. We had a space in the community centre and set up boards for the students work to be displayed on. The kids were stoked to have their artworks shown in a real life gallery space!
