Seize the Moment Study in Gold (Helen's Flight)

Title | SEIZE THE MOMENT STUDY IN GOLD (HELEN'S FLIGHT) Type | Original Gold Cyanotype
Inspiration | Helen Sharman
Year | 2024

Materials | Cyanotype, handmade paper, 24-carat gold leaf 5.7in frame diameter x 1.2in frame depth

Inspiration-

This artwork was inspired by Helen Sharman.

Helen Sharman's 1991 space flight was a historic moment not just for the UK, but also for women in science and technology. As one of the first British astronauts in space and the first woman to visit the Mir space station during Project Juno, Sharman broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of female scientists and engineers.

Helen Sharman's space flight was a defining moment for women in STEM and a crucial step towards gender equality in the field. Sharman's legacy continues to inspire and encourage women to pursue their passions and break down barriers.

Sharman's journey was significant for several reasons. Firstly, representation matters: Sharman's flight was a rare opportunity for women to see someone like themselves in a high-profile, male-dominated field. By seeing a woman in space, young girls were inspired to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

By breaking gender stereotypes: Sharman's journey challenged the notion that women were not capable of performing complex tasks in a high-pressure environment. Her successful mission proved that women can excel in any field they choose, and helped to break down the gender barriers that still exist in many STEM fields.

Sharman's flight inspired a new generation of women to pursue careers in STEM and showed them that anything is possible with hard work and determination. Her legacy continues to inspire women today to pursue their dreams, regardless of societal expectations or gender stereotypes.

Collection:
This is taken from the series "Women Who Unlocked The Universe"- A Space Of One's Own: These powerful figures in time revolutionised our understanding of the universe and provided invaluable contributions to the field of astronomy, astrophysics and space travel. In pursuing their passions for

the heavens, scouring the skies for stellar spectra, chasing comets and mapping the cosmos they ultimately unlocked the mysteries of the universe.

Technique-

Seize The Moment Study In Gold (Helen’s Flight) was created by constructing a hand-cut collage using female photographic portraiture, hand-printed surface textures of chemigrams and photographs of lunar craters.

After coating the handmade paper with light-sensitive chemistry, it is left to dry in a dark room. The large-scale negative is contact printed onto the paper by exposure to daylight (UV rays). The print is then processed by thoroughly washing in water to remove any unexposed solution. It can then be hung to dry, developing to full density Prussian blue after 24 hours before hand finishing with 24-carat gold leaf.

Dimensions

Framed: 5.7in frame diameter x 1.2in frame depth

Paper

Handmade recycled cotton rag paper:
150gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / Medium Rough

Mount

We use float mounting for all of our framed cyanotypes. The artwork floats above a snow-white, Larson- Juhl 1400 microns (8001 white core mount board), to showcase the paper texture and deckled edging.

Framing

Framed artwork will arrive ready to hang. Each round picture frame is handmade by our London based design team. All frames come with gallery spec, 2mm thick Artglass AR70 / 3mm anti-reflective/ 79% UV protected glazing as standard.