Karen Cornelius
Give Me a sign
Give me a Sign
Signs are used to communicate, inform, advertise or warn. At times the message can puzzle the viewer, or give one pause, make you smile or laugh out loud.
Cornelius photographs signs from places that she has have been from the High Arctic to Northern Manitoba to China and the Congo. She collects signs that provide a glimpse of another place.
When viewing a sign we take for granted our own cultural bias that is influenced largely by the place and people where we live.
When confronted with a sign that challenges our version of the world it provides an opportunity to reflect on and evaluate our perspective.
Alumigraph Printmaking
The alumigraph is a collagraphic process, where the plate is built up on a strong support surface rather than etched into metal. Textured material such as sand paper and lace can be incorporated into the image.
Once an image is created, heavy-duty aluminum foil is adhered to the surface using acrylic gel medium. The plate is then inked intaglio, which means that the ink is rubbed into the lines and texture of the plate and removed from the surface of the plate.
The plate it then run through a hand operated etching press with a piece of 100% rag etching paper on the surface. The pressure of the steel roller and the steel bed transfers the image to the paper.