What It Means to Walk on Air

Cecilia Helena Payne-Gaposchkin was a pioneering astrophysicist and probably the most eminent women astronomers of all time.

Payne’s discovery deriving true cosmic abundance of elements from stellar spectra profoundly changed what we know about the universe, and her work began a revolution in astrophysics. This pioneering astrophysicist, is a shining star in the cosmos of scientific achievement. Her groundbreaking work on the composition of stars transformed our understanding of the universe by revealing that hydrogen and helium are the primary elements in the cosmos.

In a time when the field of astrophysics was overwhelmingly male-dominated, Payne-Gaposchkin's brilliance broke through barriers and paved the way for countless women in science. Her legacy is not just one of scientific discovery but also of unwavering perseverance and determination, proving that the pursuit of knowledge knows no gender, only the boundless depths of human curiosity and intellect. Cecilia's contributions to our understanding of the universe continue to inspire generations of scientists to reach for the stars.

Technique

What It Means To Walk On Air was created by constructing a hand-cut collage of female photographic portraiture, photographs of spiral staircases, antique metronomes and telescopes with photograms of antique slides of interstellar clouds and star spectra with hand-printed surface textures from chemigrams.

After coating the handmade paper (Turkish Map Folded) with light-sensitive chemistry, it is left to dry in a dark room. The large scale negative is then contact printed onto the paper by exposing to daylight (UV rays).

The print is then processed by thoroughly washing in water to remove any unexposed solution. It can then be hung to dry, developing to full density Prussian blueAfter 24 hours and then hand finished with 24-carat gold leaf. Once the leaf is cured the piece is then map folded and unfolded again to create the 3-dimensional sculptural cyanotype and fixed to 5 multiple folded layers of handmade paper and armature.

In the frame

This artwork is sold framed.
570mm x 570mm x 78mm (depth)

Unframed

290mm x 300mm

Framed artwork arrives ready to hang. A London-based expert team crafts each frame using primed and sanded wood with a soft-sheen finish. All frames feature 2mm anti-reflective, UV-protected glazing. For custom framing, get in touch.

Mount

All framed cyanotypes are float mounted. The artwork floats above a snow-white mount board, showcasing the paper texture and deckled edging.

Paper

Handmade recycled cotton rag paper: 320gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / PH Neutral / Medium Rough