Objet d’Art: Silver and Gold Leaf and Image Transfers

One critic has called Marcy Palmer’s work “an exploration of beauty as an antidote to personal and political crisis,” noting that the specificity of her elegant imagery lends itself to contemplation.

In this hands-on workshop in Santa Fe, Marcy opens-up a world of photographic possibilities by sharing two alternative processes: image transfer and the application of silver and gold leaf. Both techniques allow photographers to incorporate unusual materials with distinct properties into their images.

To deepen our understanding of these two special processes, we contextualize the photograph as both image and object, addressing the significance of physicality and three-dimensionality. This approach allows us to consider which forms our photographs might take and how those forms will help us communicate our concepts and ideas most effectively.

As we view and discuss historical and contemporary examples of the two techniques, we become familiar with each through demonstrations and exercises. Of course, we also create new photographs of our own, and Marcy provides expert feedback on our work in group and individual critiques.

By slowing down and taking time to experiment with new artistic options, you discover the ways that beauty, in all its various and unexpected configurations, can manifest anew in your images.

Note: This workshop utilizes the Alt Process Lab located in the basement of The Workshops. There is a flight of stairs that you will use quite a bit, traveling back and forth from the digital lab.