Caitlin Hegney artist . designer . maker
DRAWINGS EXPLORING BINARIES IN MATERIALS
www.caitlinhegney.co.uk
BINARIES OF BLUE Blue is Gold ; Merchants traveled for gold and returned with lapis lazuli. In 1521, the price of lapis lazuli which was ground and filtered to create Ultramarine pigment was 100 times more expensive than the price of an earth colour, making blue pigment more expensive than gold. Comforting but Distancing ; Approximately 71 % of the Earth’s surface is composed of what is recognised as a blue liquid - water. Blue is therefore familiar, and represents the sense of belonging. However, blue is a cold colour, it appears further away than other colours. Visible and Invisible ; Every living creature perceives blue light as it represents daylight and establishes the circadian rhythm. Blue may not always be seen, but it is sensed. Undervalued and Valued ; In some cultures, the colour blue symbolised mourning and misfortune. However in other cultures represented prosperity, was believed to dispel evil. Night and Day ; Lapis Lazuli rock is commonly known as a semi-precious stone but it is a actually a combination of minerals (blue lazurite and gold pyrite ) known as the ‘night coloured rock’. Yet blue is a varying hue also radiates the vitality and energy of the daytime. Simultaneously Sky and Sea ; Ultramarine translates from the latin as ‘beyond the sea’ suggesting a blue that is bluer than the sky, a blue that is all encompassing that is reflected in the sea. Free but Secure ; Blue is the colour of the open sky, the colour of freedom. Blue is an independent colour but also suggests safety and reliability. Elusive and Utilitarian ; Blue is infinite, the colour of dreams, of imagination and ephemerality, but blue is also practical and durable. Hopeful and Despairing ; Blue aspires with positivity but the the sensation of ‘feeling blue‘ is of sadness. Beginnings and Endings ; The colour blue is symbolic of birth, every baby is born with blue eyes. Blue also represent the end of life, oxygen loss from the blood causes the lips to turn blue. Strong but Fragile ; Blue can hold its own. It is a powerful colour, the celts were said to dyes their bodies blue upon entering battle. Blue is also sensitive and quiet, a gentle, fragile colour. Innocent yet Alluring ; Blue is symbolic of purity it is tranquil and peaceful, but a varying hue is rich, associated with wealth and desire, gazing at blue is enrapturing. Essential yet Luxurious ; Water is an essential element to life, it is the colour of fertility. Culturally, the meaning blue has also symbolised regality, wealth and luxury.
STUDIES FROM KILMARTIN GLEN
STUDIES OF JET ; BLACK GOLD, PETRIFIED WOOD
CYANOTYPE STUDIES : IMPRINT OF LIGHT, RUBBING OF SURFACE,, GOLD AND LAPIS LAZULI
DRAWN LINES TRANSLATED AS WAVES AND INDENTATIONS IN METAL
MARKED PAPER, INDENTED METAL, CARVED WOOD
www.caitlinhegney.co.uk