Patrick Hickley is a New Zealand based artist who does a lot of contemporary photography. One portfolio of his that interests me is his cyanotype portfolio 'complexstructures'. The reason that this portfolio is so intriguing to me is that it uses a mixture of photography and textiles, outlines and detail having been sewn on top of the image which is printed on watercolour paper.
What I like about these images is that the monochromatic blues and whites of the cyanotypes contrast with the red of the thread detailing that has been sewn into the image. The images themselves are of people whereas the the patterns created with the thread are of what is inside the subject, in this case bones and muscle. High key lighting has been used within the photos which brings out the lighter tones within the composition and this is further emphasised by printing it in cyanotype which makes the photo monochromatic blues. This also contrasts with the warmer reds and draws the attention of the viewer due to the brighter red standing out boldly against the muted blues.
For me, the way thread has been used within the photos represents the truth and reality that, no matter who we are, we are all human and we all are made up of the same components; bone and muscle and skin. The images highlight the fact that we are all the same no matter how different we are as individuals and that we are all just human when push comes to shove. I want to incorporate this technique with my work to create shapes and outlines within images of fire and smoke to represent the idea that nightmares, despite the fact that they aren't real, can be burnt into your mind and can affect the way you perceive the world around you.
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