‘Delphi’ (2016) forms part of Polixeni Papapetrou’s series, Eden. The ten photographs that make up this body of work show young women wearing floral dresses. The models stand in front of floral backgrounds while holding or wearing an arrangement of fresh flowers. The images merge figure and ground so that the models seem to disappear into their surroundings. With this merging of formal elements Papapetrou evoked a forged unity between the young women and the flowers, between nature and culture. The flowers symbolise the cycle of life and the passing of time, while the series reflects on the young women’s transformation as they move through childhood and emerge into the adult world. In this way, Eden explores themes that are central to Papapetrou’s oeuvre; illuminating her interest in transience and in-between, transitionary stages of life.
With this work, Papapetrou won the 2017 William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize.
(2020)
Also known as Giclee prints or bubble-jet prints, pigment ink-jet prints are generated by computer printers from digital or scanned files using dye-based or pigment-based inks. A series of nozzles spray tiny droplets of ink onto the paper surface in a precise pattern that corresponds to the digital image file. In dye-based prints the ink soaks into the paper, whereas in pigment-based prints the ink rests and dries on top of the paper surface.
Whilst the term is broad, pigment ink-jet prints have come to be associated with prints produced on fine art papers. They are the most versatile and archival method of printing available to photographers today. A wide variety of material on which an image can be printed with such inks are available, including various textures and finishes such as matte photo paper, watercolour paper, cotton canvas or pre-coated canvas.
