“Life is once. Forever.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson
On August 12, 2021, photographer Jessie Hansen arrived at the Peter Bullough Foundation with a goal to experiment, explore, and evolve during her month-long stay. Having already developed a strong style and technique while pursuing a BFA in Photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), she came searching for a deeper understanding of her work and a desire to share her love of photography.
Jessie’s art evokes empathy and emotion using portraiture and environmental photography. Through a monochrome lens, her haunting images direct the viewer down a path, allowing a personal connection with the subject matter. Time and space occupy our thoughts as we look to the past as well as the future to find our place on the timeline. During her stay here in Winchester, Jessie spent many days immersed in the landscape of the local area and I dare say found places I have never explored as a lifelong resident.
Working mainly with Cyanotype and Van Dyke prints, Jessie further elevated her experiments with these photographic printing methods by incorporating a border of interwoven thread. While creating the intricate edges, she allowed herself time to explore her thoughts and came to a realization about her work which I believe will serve to further elevate her art moving forward. I won’t let the cat out of the bag, but I will say that I am excited to see what will emerge from this deliberation.
As her time here at the Peter Bullough Foundation came to a close, Jessie instructed a workshop in Cyanotype printing. A group of local residents and the staff of the Peter Bullough Foundation enjoyed a wonderful afternoon searching the garden for foliage to use in the creation of our own beautiful blue prints. All who participated walked away with a better understanding of the process and a desire to create more. Happily, each participant left with two additional sheets of treated Cyanotype paper and the understanding that art is what you make of it. Perhaps they, like Jessie, will come to their own realizations about their work in time.
If you would like to learn more about photographer Jessie Hansen, please visit her website.
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