Mary Pauline’s Ribbon

Materials: Cyanotype on vintage linen with beading

Dimensions: 40cm x 40cm

This artwork emerged after I discovered a never seen before black-and-white image of my mother at age 8, the same age as my daughter. Written on the back in my Granny’s hand was: “Mary P. Anthony had her so mad telling her he would have to cut some of the ribbon.” My initial emotional reaction was happiness, seeing this image for the first time and noting the resemblance between myself, my daughter, and my mother who passed away in 2011. Then a tinge of sadness set in because my mother loved fashion and had a great sense of style and I believe was trying to express herself with the ribbon while wearing a hand-me-down jumper with a rip at the shoulder.

Only much later in life did she have the means to buy beautiful things for herself. She would always take pride in her appearance. Her sense of style and creativity inspired me to honour her memory in my artwork. As I have been experimenting with cyanotype, I chose to print this image onto one of her linen napkins. The cyanotype process, with its rich, deep blue hues, seemed perfect for capturing the nostalgia and emotion tied to this photograph. Watching the chemical reaction of the negative image appearing on the linen was incredible—seeing a ghostly image slowly appear in the water bath was emotional and magical, a poignant reminder of her enduring presence.

The delicate addition of hand beading the rip in her jumper not only mended the fabric but also symbolised mending the emotional rift of not having her present in our lives. Reacting to this image made me want to give her a sense of pride and confidence, acknowledging her struggles and triumphs.