Sophie Cook

Artist Statement

Each piece is an original botanical cyanotype, created using natural material I have grown or collected in Derbyshire. I am trained in horticulture and plant science, and so the work grows out of a detailed exploration of the botanical features of the plants. I use liquid gold leaf to highlight the form of the plants. 

The work produced follows three main themes. The first is a modern take of the traditional herbarium-style of the 1800’s, the second examines the form of the plants and the patterns these create, and the third are ecologically-informed landscapes.

Honesty Herbarium. Cyanotype and gold leaf paint on archival paper. 21x30cm.
Snowdrop. Cyanotype and gold leaf paint on archival paper. 8x12cm.
Snowdrop. Cyanotype and gold leaf paint on archival paper. 8x12cm.
A selection of bookmarks. Cyanotype and gold leaf on archival paper. Each bookmark is 5.5x19cm.
A selection of bookmarks. Cyanotype and gold leaf on archival paper. Each bookmark is 5.5x19cm.
Detail of Wisteria. Cyanotype and gold leaf on archival paper. 50x70cm.
Detail of Wisteria. Cyanotype and gold leaf on archival paper. 50x70cm.