ancestral 'aina

This collection aims to capture the Polynesian concept of mana in myriad settings around the world. Each photograph relates to my search for a sense of spiritual connectedness to the land, at times mediated by my own family history and at other times grounded in an appreciation of humanity’s shared heritage. I set out to infuse each piece with a timeless sense of place that would encourage the viewer to contemplate the ways in which they are linked to other human beings and the planet. Through the use of palladium printing, I further reinforce the scenes’ temporal ambiguity. The palladium process gives me a chance to re-experience my connection to these locations and add layers of meaning to them, resulting in a set of warm, reverent photographs that invite the viewer to meditate on the power of place.

Palladium printing is a historical photographic method that dates back to the late nineteenth century. It requires the hand coating of 100% cotton rag paper with ferric oxalate, then an exposure with a negative in the darkroom under intense ultraviolet light. The print is highly archival and produces an exquisitely warm-toned image. The palladium printing process imbues the subject with a timeless intimacy, making it well suited to photographs of nature.

Palladium Printing is a historical photographic method that dates back to the late 1800s and is done by hand coating 100% cotton rag paper with ferric oxalate and exposed with a negative in the darkroom under intense ultraviolet light. The print is highly archival and produces an exquisite warm toned image.