Melanie King - Artist

Anatomy Of A Forest: Dandelion Clock, Nettle Toned Cyanotype, 2024.

Commissioned by Photo Canopy

I will be showing this print at Burton & South Derbyshire College University Centre on Thursday, July 4th from 6-8pm. I'll be there with the students and other artists!

For the residency, I was inspired by natural structures and forms, particularly those found in the book 'Li; Dynamic Forms In Nature' by David Wade.

'Li comes to eventually represent in Daoist cosmology the more abstract quality of the natural patterns or structures within the universe along which all phenomena move and interact with one another without the interference of human beings'

Roth 羅浩 HD. The Classical Daoist Concept of LI 理 (Pattern) and Early Chinese Cosmology. Early China.

Amongst other phenomena, I focused on circular shapes, branching, bark texture and patterns in mud. I am interested in how nature expresses itself, producing efficient solutions for growth, on a micro and macro scale.

The Dandelion Clock is also often shown as a Vanitas symbol, representing the brevity of life. This print specifically nods towards Helen Chadwick's 'Nebula' which shows a cataracted eye, embryos and a dandelion clock hung like jewels, as a contempory memento mori.

In addition, I have been drawn to 'weeds' such as nettles when producing images using sustainable photographic processes.

This Thursday at 6pm UK time, I am leading an online plant based film developer workshop with .

Image 1&2: Ramsgate, Mint Developer, 2021. (Soft contrast)

Image 3&4: Left over pasta water film developer, 2020. (High contrast)

Link to booking in my bio 👀

An exciting adventure to Paris for the launch of ‘Fracture’ , the new publication focused on sustainability and photography by curated by and . There was a group talk /event at and a book signing by at . Thanks to the invite, so glad to be involved in such a vital book.

“'For this, the 14th issue of The Eyes, we welcome British photographer and video artist Chloe Dewe Mathews as Guest Curator. Together, we look at the relationship – both historical and contemporary – between photography and the destruction of the natural world. This issue showcases film and photographic works that encourage reflection on environmental disruption and might even, prompt action. Does Photography have a unique means to represent and question the human impact on the climate?

Fracture has brought together the work of artists who highlight misdemeanours of the past, and others who envisage alternative worlds in the future; as well as those who engage with the polluting nature of the medium itself.

Fracture attempts to take a broad, international view of the ecological issues pictured. It seeks to rally the concerned, offering insight and creative approaches to the most pressing issue of our time.'

Editorial Director:

Editorial team:

Graphic design and art direction:

Texts:
houghton8



Cover:



Artists:
buzot () .floch .giraud () () .leffler anastasia.mityukova () .romero “

Pillars of Creation, Becquerel Daguerreotype, 2022.

I am excited to exhibit these works with at in Miami, for week 6-10 December 2023.

These daguerreotypes are part of “Precious Metals” a project which considers the materiality of silver and palladium, from their production within the cosmos, extraction from Earth and their uses within our society. This project focuses on silver and palladium use in photography, suggesting methods of using the materials that are less harmful to the environment. This project was supported by and subscribers.

Coming up this week - the launch of 'FRACTURE', the latest issue of guest curated by . I have some text and images included in this issue.

You can pre-order a copy via instagram page. I will be at the launch at Paris on 09 November, and at on 10 November! Hope to see you there.

'For this, the 14th issue of The Eyes, we welcome British photographer and video artist Chloe Dewe Mathews as Guest Curator. Together, we look at the relationship – both historical and contemporary – between photography and the destruction of the natural world. This issue showcases film and photographic works that encourage reflection on environmental disruption and might even, prompt action. Does Photography have a unique means to represent and question the human impact on the climate?

Fracture has brought together the work of artists who highlight misdemeanours of the past, and others who envisage alternative worlds in the future; as well as those who engage with the polluting nature of the medium itself.

Fracture attempts to take a broad, international view of the ecological issues pictured. It seeks to rally the concerned, offering insight and creative approaches to the most pressing issue of our time.'

Editorial Director:

Editorial team:

Graphic design and art direction:

Texts:
houghton8



Cover:



Artists:
buzot () .floch .giraud () () .leffler anastasia.mityukova () .romero

First newsletter in a while...

November News // Featuring Crealdé School of Art Orlando, The Eyes Magazine, Paris Photo Fair, Canterbury Christ Church University CCCU Arts, Humanities & Education The Ramsgate Recorder Arts Council England Patreon and landartcollective

https://www.melaniek.co.uk/blog/november-2023

Sign up to my mailing list in the comments!

November 2023 - Blog - Melanie King - November 2023 blog | Melanie King

I have some seaweedy content in the next issue of , launching at next Thursday 6-9pm. Thanks to for the invitation to contribute!

These images are from my “Submerged Landscapes” project, originally commissioned by in 2021.

According to the Climate Central app, Thanet, UK is likely to become an island again within the next decade. Submerged Landscapes is a project where I document the affected areas before they are submerged, using the materiality of the sea within the production of the work. To produce these images, I have used film developer made from bladderwrack seaweed. The recipe was originally developed during an online residency in 2020.

I hope to continue this project this month, trying out a new seaweed developer alongside my large format camera.

Passu Glacier, Chai Tea Developer, 2023. Part of the project supported by .

This image is included in 'FRACTURE', the latest issue of guest curated by .

You can pre-order a copy via instagram page. I will be at the launch at Paris on 09 November, and at on 10 November! Hope to see you there.

'For this, the 14th issue of The Eyes, we welcome British photographer and video artist Chloe Dewe Mathews as Guest Curator. Together, we look at the relationship – both historical and contemporary – between photography and the destruction of the natural world. This issue showcases film and photographic works that encourage reflection on environmental disruption and might even, prompt action. Does Photography have a unique means to represent and question the human impact on the climate?

Fracture has brought together the work of artists who highlight misdemeanours of the past, and others who envisage alternative worlds in the future; as well as those who engage with the polluting nature of the medium itself.

Fracture attempts to take a broad, international view of the ecological issues pictured. It seeks to rally the concerned, offering insight and creative approaches to the most pressing issue of our time.'

Editorial Director:

Editorial team:

Graphic design and art direction:

Texts:
houghton8



Cover:



Artists:
buzot () .floch .giraud () () .leffler anastasia.mityukova () .romero

Every month, I send out a postcard for £10+ Patreon subscribers. This month I am sending out a reproduction of my photograph of Dovestones, printed as a cyanotype and then toned with rosemary.

https://www.patreon.com/MelanieKKing

As I have had a Patreon page since February 2020, my page acts as a directory for experimental , alternative and analogue photographic processes. You can search processes using the tags. I have recently been using my patreon page as a journal to document my cyanotype toning experimentation, supported by a Developing Your Creative Practice grant from Arts Council England . This month I will be attempting to make a new seaweed film developer, with some improvements on my previous recipe. I'll post the results on my Patreon page...

Another fun cyanotype workshop with yesterday. Good to see a range of approaches to the same process!

Images from my ‘Cyanotypes & Botanical Toning’ workshop today at , photos mainly by . A lovely way to spend an afternoon 💙

Masson Hill & Rutland Cavern, Cyanotypes toned with oak gall, 2023.

On this expedition, I was drawn to the caverns and interesting rock formations of Masson Hall and Rutland Cavern in Matlock, UK. Spoil from cave mining was scattered in the landscape, polluting the environment. However, in the time that has passed since the mine closed, plants such as wild thyme, sorrel and ivy, amongst others. I found it interesting to think about how the ecology of the area changed, in response to lead and other minerals that were taken from the inside of the hill, and left on the surface. The environment of the area did not 'recover' exactly, but new plants found a way to survive.

These prints are part of 'Acquaintance', a result of my recent 'Developing Your Creative Practice' activity, supported by Arts Council England and Patreon subscribers . Arts Council England Patreon.

‘Acquaintance’ explores the creative possibilities of botanical cyanotype toning and sustainable photographic processes. This exploration considers how location-specific sustainable photographic processes can produce bodies of work that are materially connected to the landscape. This project is centred on the Peak District and its surroundings, an area close to where I grew up. This enquiry allows me to become reacquainted with the landscape, through the lens of photography and through the material engagement with plants identified in the environments I visit.

If you would like to learn more about cyanotype toning, I am leading an in person workshop at Albion House, Ramsgate on 28 October.

Inside Rutland Cavern, Cyanotype toned with Oak Gall, 2023.

It is less than one week until my cyanotype toning workshop at Albion House, Ramsgate . We have planned a cosy autumnal workshop, where we can use tannins from plants to alter the colour of cyanotype prints. Check out the eventbrite link below.

Albion House is a beautiful Georgian building overlooking Ramsgate, and they do a mean Cosmopolitan. 😋
In addition to running a workshop, I also have several artworks on view throughout the hotel. The exhibition has been curated by .

Workshop date: 28 October 1-4pm. Ticket cost: £50.

Passu Glacier, Pakistan, Silver Gelatin 35mm Photograph, Chai Tea Developer, 2022.

This Saturday, 21 October 12-3pm, I am leading a Chai Tea Film Developer Workshop at CCCU Arts, Humanities & Education in Canterbury.

Tickets: £10 General / £3 Students. An absolute bargain.
Booking link in comments. You will also find a blog post where I write about the plant-based film developing process in more detail.

"Plant based developers are a sustainable alternative to standard photographic developers. In this workshop, you will learn how to develop film using chai tea, which was used to produce Melanie King’s photographs in the Glacial Movements and the Ghaib exhibition.

During the workshop you’ll be taught how to make a chai tea film developer from chai, vitamin-c powder and soda crystals. You will be led through the process of developing film by artist and photography lecturer Melanie King.

Please bring a completed black and white photographic film that has been in a camera and exposed to light. We recommend a 400 ISO film such as Ilford HP5 or Kentmere 400."

Ancient Light, Grizedale, 2017. Silver Gelatin Fibre Based Print, 16x20”.

This print will be exhibited in “Elemental Landscapes”, opening on Friday! The exhibition is curated by at , in Orlando, Florida, USA. I’ll be exhibiting alongside .rio.photography and ✨

P.s. Instagram suggested the Brian Eno music, but I kinda like it.

On View: October 20, 2023–January 20, 2024

Opening Reception: Friday, October 20 | 7–9pm

“Presented in partnership with the Analog Film Photography Association and curated by Jacob Rodriguez, “Elemental Landscapes” is the inaugural exhibition of the Womyn’s Alternative Photography Society International, a collective focused on the intersection of alternative photography, science, and materiality. The collective offers a new perspective on alternative photography, aiming to promote female and non- binary artists who are working with analogue and experimental photographic processes. The artists featured are Sandra Davis from Philadelphia, PA, Rachel Guardiola from Massapequa, NY, Melanie King from London, UK, and Dale Rio from the Northeastern US.

With each artist utilizing a different approach and methodology, the work in this exhibition revisits the tradition of landscape photography and explores the ways in which the landscape can provide commentary on photography’s relationship with the elemental. This aspect of the elemental is manifested in the work both literally – through the metal salts incorporated into the various processes – and conceptually – through the foundational relationship between humanity and the natural world, for instance – and provides the tie that binds the work together. It is explored at various levels, as if through the lenses of both microscopes and telescopes and the eyes of both the humble and grand.”

Matlock, Cyanotype toned with oak gall, 2023.

‘Acquaintance’ explores the creative possibilities of botanical cyanotype toning and sustainable photographic processes. This exploration considers how location-specific sustainable photographic processes can produce bodies of work that are materially connected to the landscape. This project is centred on the Peak District and its surroundings, an area close to where I grew up. This enquiry allows me to become reacquainted with the landscape, through the lens of photography and through the material engagement with plants identified in the environments I visit.

Supported by a Developing Your Creative Practice Grant, Arts Council England and Patreon subscribers .

If you would like to learn more about cyanotype toning, I am leading an in person workshop at on 28 October. I am also leading regular online workshops with throughout Autumn and Winter.

Every month, I send out a postcard for £10+ subscribers. This month I am sending out a reproduction of my Moon kallitype. Find out more here in the link in my bio.

Posting for the third time as instagram thinks the moon is a b**b. 😂

Every month, I send out a postcard for £10+ Patreon subscribers. This month I am sending out a reproduction of my Moon kallitype. Find out more here in the link in the comments.

Batura Glacier Surroundings, Silver Gelatin Photograph, Chai Tea Developer, 2022.

Drinks reception tomorrow! Thursday 05 October, 5-7pm at Daphne Oram Gallery.

This work is part of Glacial Movements and the Ghaib at Daphne Oram Gallery, CCCU Arts, Humanities & Education . Open until 9 Jan 2024.

Glacial Movements and the Ghaib explores the history and politics of water bodies. It considers the flow of water, fluidity and how water interacts with the land. The project contemplates the precarity and beauty of vast natural formations such as glaciers and rivers.

The exhibition, resulting from an all-female expedition that took place in September 2022 by members of Lumen Studios and Pak Khawateen Painting Club, will feature art works produced on that expedition including journals, videos, sound, photography and painting.

The expedition focused on some of the largest glaciers in Pakistan, which are continuously shifting and changing shape. The glaciers are also a water source for rivers in south Asia, and form part of the ‘Third Pole,’ one of the largest ice reserves in the world. The collectives visited four of the glaciers in Hunza district, named Passu, Shishper, Battura and Gulkin. In addition to visiting the glaciers, the collectives explored local towns that are directly affected by glacial lake outbursts and rely on them for a water source.

The expedition was funded by the British Council’s ‘New Perspectives 75 Years of Pakistan’. . Versions of this exhibition have been shown at VM Gallery Karachi, Tagh’eer Lahore and COMSATS University, Islamabad in Pakistan. This is the first exhibition produced from the expedition within the United Kingdom and has been curated by Melanie King and Paul Russell.

Passu Glacier, Pakistan, Silver Gelatin 35mm Photograph, Chai Tea Developer, 2022. I am leading a Chai Tea Film Developer Workshop on 21 October 12-3pm at

Tickets £10. £3 students.
Booking via the website, or DM me for the link.

In this workshop, you will learn how to develop film using chai tea, which was used to produce my photographs in the Glacial Movements and the Ghaib exhibition.

During the workshop you’ll be taught how to make a chai tea film developer from chai, vitamin-c powder and soda crystals. You will be led through the process of developing film.

Please bring a completed black and white photographic film that has been in a camera and exposed to light. We recommend a 400 ISO film such as Ilford HP5 or Kentmere 400.

I am pleased to announce that I will be showing a range of artworks in “Elemental Landscapes”, an exhibition with the Analog Film Photography Association and Crealdé School of Art , in Orlando, Florida, USA.

On View: October 20, 2023–January 20, 2024
Opening Reception: Friday, October 20 | 7–9pm

“Presented in partnership with the Analog Film Photography Association and curated by Jacob Rodriguez, “Elemental Landscapes” is the inaugural exhibition of the Womyn’s Alternative Photography Society International, a collective focused on the intersection of alternative photography, science, and materiality. The collective offers a new perspective on alternative photography, aiming to promote female and non- binary artists who are working with analogue and experimental photographic processes. The artists featured are Sandra Davis from Philadelphia, PA, Rachel Guardiola from Massapequa, NY, Melanie King from London, UK, and Dale Rio from the Northeastern US.

With each artist utilizing a different approach and methodology, the work in this exhibition revisits the tradition of landscape photography and explores the ways in which the landscape can provide commentary on photography’s relationship with the elemental. This aspect of the elemental is manifested in the work both literally – through the metal salts incorporated into the various processes – and conceptually – through the foundational relationship between humanity and the natural world, for instance – and provides the tie that binds the work together. It is explored at various levels, as if through the lenses of both microscopes and telescopes and the eyes of both the humble and grand.”

I am pleased to announce that I will be showing a range of artworks in “Elemental Landscapes”, an exhibition with and , in Orlando, Florida, USA. I’ll be exhibiting alongside .rio.photography and Rachel Guardiola.

also have an open call for Art Basel Miami, which ends tomorrow! Check the second slide, and their website, for more information.

On View: October 20, 2023–January 20, 2024

Opening Reception: Friday, October 20 | 7–9pm

“Presented in partnership with the Analog Film Photography Association and curated by Jacob Rodriguez, “Elemental Landscapes” is the inaugural exhibition of the Womyn’s Alternative Photography Society International, a collective focused on the intersection of alternative photography, science, and materiality. The collective offers a new perspective on alternative photography, aiming to promote female and non- binary artists who are working with analogue and experimental photographic processes. The artists featured are Sandra Davis from Philadelphia, PA, Rachel Guardiola from Massapequa, NY, Melanie King from London, UK, and Dale Rio from the Northeastern US.

With each artist utilizing a different approach and methodology, the work in this exhibition revisits the tradition of landscape photography and explores the ways in which the landscape can provide commentary on photography’s relationship with the elemental. This aspect of the elemental is manifested in the work both literally – through the metal salts incorporated into the various processes – and conceptually – through the foundational relationship between humanity and the natural world, for instance – and provides the tie that binds the work together. It is explored at various levels, as if through the lenses of both microscopes and telescopes and the eyes of both the humble and grand.”

Night sky at Eagles Nest, Hunza, Pakistan, Digital Print of Silver Gelatin Photograph, 2022. Printed large for the Glacial Movements & The Ghaib exhibition, at Daphne Oram Gallery, . Open most weekdays until Tuesday 9 January 2024. Drinks Reception: Thursday 05 October, 5-7pm

On 21st October, I will be leading an in-person chai tea film developer workshop in the darkroom at .

Glacial Movements and the Ghaib explores the history and politics of water bodies. It considers the flow of water, fluidity and how water interacts with the land. The project contemplates the precarity and beauty of vast natural formations such as glaciers and rivers.

The exhibition, resulting from an all-female expedition that took place in September 2022 by members of Lumen Studios and Pak Khawateen Painting Club, will feature art works produced on that expedition including journals, videos, sound, photography and painting.

The expedition focused on some of the largest glaciers in Pakistan, which are continuously shifting and changing shape. The glaciers are also a water source for rivers in south Asia, and form part of the ‘Third Pole,’ one of the largest ice reserves in the world. The collectives visited four of the glaciers in Hunza district, named Passu, Shishper, Battura and Gulkin. In addition to visiting the glaciers, the collectives explored local towns that are directly affected by glacial lake outbursts and rely on them for a water source.

The expedition was funded by the British Council’s ‘New Perspectives 75 Years of Pakistan’. . Versions of this exhibition have been shown at VM Gallery Karachi, Tagh’eer Lahore and COMSATS University, Islamabad in Pakistan. This is the first exhibition produced from the expedition within the United Kingdom and has been curated by Melanie King and Paul Russell.

Artists

Amna Hashmi / Saba Khan / Saulat Ajmal / Zohreen Murtaza Louise Beer .beer / Melanie King / Rebecca Huxley

Find out more and RSVP to our opening event via

In early September, I visited Matlock (near the Peak District) as part of my "Developing Your Creative Practice" activity supported by Arts Council Englandand Patreon subscribers. I practiced using my 5x4 Intrepid Camera in the local woods, and then developed the film in caffenol-c at The Margate School.

Whilst in Matlock, I also produced digital photographs that have been transformed into cyanotypes, and will be toned using oak gall in my studio next week.

I am pleased to have contributed to the Fossilised Sunshine text and installation at

F O S S I L I S E D
S U N S H I N E

A dialogue about the possibilities of photographic practice between ‘Collective Agitation’ and ‘The London Alternative Photography Collective ’.

This collaborative google doc is part of , transmitted over fax machine into the gallery space , sprawled across the gallery floor.

Collective Agitation
Isabella Ford • Camille Perry .perry.photo • Lara Young • Luca Zurich

in collaboration with

London Alternative Photography Collective
Melanie King • Hannah Fletcher • Martha Gray .e.a.gray • Katrina Stamatopolous

You can see a preview of the printed text on the instagram.

Coming up at with and the Pak Khawateen Painting Club, .

Glacial Movements and the Ghaib explores the history and politics of water bodies. It considers the flow of water, fluidity and how water interacts with the land. The project contemplates the precarity and beauty of vast natural formations such as glaciers and rivers.

The exhibition, resulting from an all-female expedition that took place in September 2022 by members of Lumen Studios and Pak Khawateen Painting Club, will feature art works produced on that expedition including journals, videos, sound, photography and painting.

The expedition focused on some of the largest glaciers in Pakistan, which are continuously shifting and changing shape. The glaciers are also a water source for rivers in south Asia, and form part of the ‘Third Pole,’ one of the largest ice reserves in the world. The collectives visited four of the glaciers in Hunza district, named Passu, Shishper, Battura and Gulkin. In addition to visiting the glaciers, the collectives explored local towns that are directly affected by glacial lake outbursts and rely on them for a water source.

The expedition was funded by the British Council’s ‘New Perspectives 75 Years of Pakistan’. . Versions of this exhibition have been shown at VM Gallery Karachi, Tagh’eer Lahore and COMSATS University, Islamabad in Pakistan. This is the first exhibition produced from the expedition within the United Kingdom and has been curated by Melanie King and Paul Russell.

Artists

Amna Hashmi / Saba Khan / Saulat Ajmal / Zohreen Murtaza Louise Beer .beer / Melanie King / Rebecca Huxley

Find out more and RSVP to our opening event via

Monday 18 September 2023 – Tuesday 9 January 2024
Drinks Reception: Thursday 05 October, 5-7pm

Open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm
Closed for Christmas Friday 22 December to Friday 5 January