Komorebi 木漏れ日 is Japanese for sunlight streaming through tree leaves. The handkerchiefs are printed with photograms of shadows cast by leaves, a visual record of light and shadow working together to create something beautiful.
I started with ready-made paper before moving on to mixing the chemical solution and coating the paper myself. The result was never fully in my control.
After much trial and error, I found the most honest way to print was by inserting the paper into the branches so it could hold itself in place. The resulting prints became direct records of komorebi.
I imagined them on fabric instead of paper. Sheer fabric lets light pass through and moves with the wind, much like the leaves themselves. The selected cyanotypes were then printed in both light and dark versions on thin cotton fabric. Each was sewn into a handkerchief, small enough to fold, carry, and keep close.
Komorebi handkerchiefs are available for purchase here.