BIO

Belfast based artist, Frances Magee, has been quietly building a reputation as a highly regarded cyanotype practitioner for many years. Following her studies at the Belfast school of Art, Frances has honed in on her love of all things botanical.

Having travelled and lived across Europe, Frances has been able to appreciate her place in the world. Her garden became a personal reflective space, and provided her with a needlepoint focus where she found comfort and inspiration.

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This beautiful garden at the North Belfast home she shares with her family has become the palette from which the cyanotype prints emerge. Frances uses processes that date back to the very birth of photography to celebrate and share the beauty of what has been grown.

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Her pieces have been described as entrancing and captivating.

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Each unique cyanotype takes months of preparation, the method is innately tied to the ebb and flow of the seasons. The spring period of preparation and planting leading to an Summer and Autumn of blooms and printing. Immortalising that which has been nourished and waited upon. The chaos and uncertainty of the medium mirrors the experience of planting a seed or bulb and not being entirely certain of the result.

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They are quite definitely rooted in nature. The cycle of the sun is not only the life source of the flora, but the north facing aspect of her works space dictates that the prints themselves have a limited window of production.

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The ethereal blue tones evoke feelings and nostalgia and serenity – a oneness with our surroundings. Just as a memory is a dreamlike recollection of a time or place, these prints are an almost transformative representation of their former being.

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These brilliant blue cyanotypes make for a striking focal points in private collections across the UK and Ireland.

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A passion for sustainability and a closeness to nature has driven Frances to complete a ‘Home Grown’ series of compositions.

 

A selection of these beautiful artworks will be available to purchase at www.francesmageeart.com and selected galleries.