Joshua Yates

Throne I

Cyanotype

8 x 10 inches, framed to 11 x 14 inches

2024

$250

“This series explores themes of abandonment and post-apocalyptic solitude through the lens of historical photographic processes. For the first time in 2024, I immersed myself in both large format photography and cyanotype printmaking. Shooting with a pre-war Graflex Speed Graphic on large format film presented unique challenges, from mastering the mechanics of the camera to adapting to the deliberate pace of each exposure. The resulting prints, made using the 19th-century cyanotype process, offered further discoveries: the distinctive Prussian blue tones and archival nature of the cyanotype became a visual metaphor for the preservation of memory within the decaying structures I photographed. These works are part of an ongoing exploration of abandoned spaces and their potential as stages for imagined post-apocalyptic narratives. The tactile, scientific nature of these antiquated techniques — a stark contrast to the instant gratification of digital photography — allowed me to slow down and truly engage with these spaces, finding beauty in both the imperfections of the analog processes and the impermanence of our built environment.”

- Joshua Yates