The Future of the Engineering Sisterhood (Ode to Mary Jackson)

Title | THE FUTURE OF THE ENGINEERING SISTERHOOD (ODE TO MARY JACKSON ) Type | Original Gold Cyanotype
Inspiration | Mary Jackson
Year | 2024

Materials | Cyanotype, handmade paper, 24-carat gold leaf 27.6inches diameter x 1.2mm depth

Inspiration-

This artwork was inspired by American mathematician Mary Winston Jackson. Excelling academically in a time of racial segregation, her math and science skills earned her a position as a "human computer" for naca, later promoted to aeronautical engineer, making her nasa's first black female engineer, developing expertise working with wind tunnels and analyzing data on aircraft flight experiments.

For Mary Winston Jackson, a love of science and a commitment to improving the lives of the people around her were one and the same, science and service went hand in hand. along with serving a vital role in the development of the space program, she helped other women and minorities advance their careers. She managed the federal women's program, in the nasa office of equal opportunity programs. In this role, she worked to influence the hiring and promotion of women in nasa's science, engineering, and mathematics careers.

Technique-

The Future Of The Engineering Sisterhood (Ode To Mary Jackson) was created by constructing a hand-cut collage using female photographic portraiture, an illustration of stellar constellations and a halo.

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. Once the image is fixed it is hand finished with 24-carat gold leaf.

Dimensions

Framed: 27.6inches diameter x 1.2mm depth

Paper

Handmade recycled cotton rag paper:
320gsm / 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 8001 mount board, to showcase the paper texture and deckled edging.

Framing

Framed artwork will arrive ready to hang.
Each frame is handmade by our London based design team.

All frames come with gallery spec, 3mm thick Artglass AR70 / 3mm anti-reflective/ 79% UV protected glazing as standard.

If clients would like a bespoke frame, please let me know as I can have them made in alternative colours, gilding and glazing options.