Transcending the Blue: Touch, Look, and Wonder

In “Transcending the Blue: Touch, Look, and Wonder,” a photographic journey unfolds in the dance of light and shadow, where childhood meets the boundless expanse of the ocean. Growing up in Rhode Island, with its rugged coastline and deep maritime heritage, profoundly shaped Jen Wilkosz's artistic vision. As both a mother and an artist, she draws inspiration from the innocence and wonder of youth, captivated by the endless possibilities that arise when children engage with the world around them. Inspired by the whispers of past masters like Sir John Herschel and Anna Atkins, as well as contemporary visionaries such as Meghan Riepenhoff and Matthew Brandt, Wilkosz has wholeheartedly embraced the poetic allure of the cyanotype print process. Following in the footsteps of these pioneers, she skillfully harnesses its multifarious range of blues to convey the ephemeral nature of childhood and the ever-shifting tides of the sea. At the heart of her work lies a profound collaboration with the children themselves. Together, they embark on an enchanting voyage of discovery, where the laughter and curiosity of the children infuse vitality into each print, transforming them into co-authors of their own narrative. This participatory approach imbues the pieces with a sense of immediacy and reflects the notion that art is most meaningful when it emerges from lived experience and active engagement. Moreover, incorporating natural elements from the sea in the development and toning process further enriches the narrative power of the pieces, as they become vessels not just for imagery but for the tangible essence of the ocean itself, deepening the connection between the viewer and Jen Wilkosz’s love letter to the childhood oceanic experience.