GEORGE BUDDEN

Whilst on the Isle of Wight residency, we used our existing equipment and supplies to provide a cyanotype activity group for a local dementia support group. The goal of this group is not just to provide engagement activities to people with dementia, but also to create a space where their carers can take a break and relax.

We pre coated some squares of fabric with the cyanotype solution, and brought some flowers, leaves, twigs and seaweed for the participnats to use. After giving a short presentation on how to do it and what works well, I went around helping with placement and ideas for composition etc. We then spent a few hours exposing each cyanotype under UV lights, washing the fabric and showing them to the group. It was interesting to see how some people remembered their piece from the ‘shadows’ of their objects. In the following week, Maddy made some cyanotype nametags and it was all combined into a table cloth, ready for their Christmas party  the following week.