David Sacks

Chemigram means “writing with chemistry” as it combines painting and drawing with the chemistry of photography. However, chemigrams are not photographs, as they are made under ambient light, without a camera or a lens. To make a chemigram, I brush, draw, splash, drip or spray darkroom chemicals onto...

Chemigram means “writing with chemistry” as it combines painting and drawing with the chemistry of photography. However, chemigrams are not photographs, as they are made under ambient light, without a camera or a lens. To make a chemigram, I brush, draw, splash, drip or spray darkroom chemicals onto photosensitive paper. By controlling the action of the chemicals on the paper, I can elicit a wide range of tones, hues, forms, shapes and textures. I achieve this by coating the paper with substances that, over time, become unstuck, crack, erode or dissolve in the chemical solutions. Due to chance, each piece is unique but is guided to foster the emerging composition, colour and mood. I strive to record the maximum amount of detail and depth that the photopaper can resolve. Thus, when printed in large format, the work envelopes the viewer and stimulates contemplation. In addition to giclée prints, I produce short animations, “moving pictures” of my chemigrams which are available as non-fungible tokens. As the animated chemigrams flow, heave and swirl, they provoke a surreal hypnotic experience.