Artist Employs Sunlight to Convert Wrinkled Paper Into Vast Frosty Mountain Landscapes

Cyanotype printing is a historic photographic method that employs sunlight to produce vivid, deep blue visuals. Although this technique has been utilized for artistic exploration for ages, Taipei-based artist Wu Chi-Tsung expands the boundaries of its capabilities. His Cyano-Collage series features vast, icy-blue landscapes crafted from large sheets of crumpled paper and natural sunlight. His remarkable work delves into how light, technology, and perception influence our understanding of the world today.

The ongoing Cyano-Collage series pays tribute to Mr. Ni Tsai-Chin, a renowned artist and art critic from Taiwan who passed away in 2015. When Chi-Tsung was a student, he assisted Ni and fondly remembers many lengthy discussions about the potential of calligraphy and ink. They conversed about topics ranging from transformations in Chinese landscape painting during the Song dynasty to the impact of Western art in Taiwan. Chi-Tsung recollects, “His broadened perspectives, profound arguments, combined understanding of both traditional and modern arts, and determination in advocating for cultural subjectivity have enriched my artistic growth since my early days.”

Building upon his mentor’s perspective on traditional ink artistry, Chi-Tsung merges classical cyanotype printing with folded and collaged xuan paper to create textured mountain vistas. This technique reinterprets the recognizable brushstrokes of Chinese landscape art through light-reactive materials, adding a modern twist to the scenes. Each enormous canvas resembles a photograph of the deep sea or an expansive, fracturing ice field.

Each of Chi-Tsung’s creations is distinct, influenced by the ever-changing nature of light. He often humorously likens the process to farming, returning daily to collaborate with the sun and awaiting the perfect light on the paper. He explains, “When you step into the sunlight, a cloud could drift by, altering the light; the wind stirs the paper. Everything is in flux, entirely out of my control.”

Reflecting on his approach for this series, Chi-Tsung shares, “As I craft the Cyano-Collage, I frequently envision tracing a mountain stream upward, navigating along fissures or ridgelines, and reaching the summit to look across the peaks.”

Explore Chi-Tsung’s Cyano-Collage series below and discover more of the artist’s intriguing works on his website.

Wu Chi-Tsung’s Cyano-Collage series of vast, icy-blue landscapes is crafted using large sheets of crumpled paper and the cyanotype printing method.

The artist utilizes folded and collaged xuan paper along with sunlight to create his textured mountain landscapes.

Each enormous canvas appears as a snapshot of the deep ocean or a vast, cracking ice expanse.

Chi-tsung Wu: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to showcase photos by Chi-tsung Wu.

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