This autumn, I had the pleasure of hosting George Wiedenhofer for my annual Essence of Autumn photography workshop. George is a wonderful person and an enjoyable travel companion. As a visual artist, he works predominantly with Fuji Film Medium Format. However, what truly captivated me about George's work was his unique printing method; George specializes in Platinum/Palladium artwork. He brought a sample to the workshop, printed on Japanese washi paper made by the master paper maker Ichibei Iwano San from Japan. But rather than just telling you about it, let me share what he writes about his work.
By George Wiedenhofer
Japanese Paper Prints
A COLLECTION OF ONE OF A KIND PRINTS USING HANDMADE JAPANESE PAPER AND UNIQUE PRINTING TECHNIQUES.
These one-of-a-kind artworks are completed using handmade paper by Human National Treasure of Japan Mr. Ichibei Iwano. It's known, based on 10 generations of paper making, that this paper can last over 1000 years. Also known is Platinum or palladium prints will last as long as the paper they're printed on. Please treasure these one of a kind artworks as family heirlooms that can be passed from generation to generation. See the video below showing Mr. Iwano produce the paper used to make the artwork shown here.
Also shown below, continuing with Mr. Iwano's paper, is a series of prints showing Yosemite National Park. These prints use Piezography printed using carbon based inks. In combination with the handmade paper these prints can last hundreds of years without fading or UV damage.
Please call Leslie Calimeri, Owner of Chautauqua Art Gallery at 716-294-3027 for any of my Platinum/Palladium artwork. Leslie can review options as each print is unique and handmade in my workshop.
Notice the images on this page are of Nature. This will be a constant theme for all of the Palladium/Platinum prints. Why only the Natural world? The fact is the Natural world we all share is changing. The only question is what, if anything, can we do about it.
One answer is to document the Natural world through a lens. This will help make the impermanence of our shared Natural world as permanent as possible. I do this by using the longest lasting paper available and print on it in such a way that the Natural world, as we currently see it, can live on for a 1000 years.
To help preserve our Natural environment I'll donate, in your name, 10 tree plantings by the National Forest Foundation for each handmade print purchased. The National Forest Foundation works with US Forestry to determine where and what local species of trees are planted. They have a current campaign to plant 50 million trees by 2023. Check out www.nationalforests.org for more information.