
In Search of the Blue Flower
Alexander Hamilton and the Art of Cyanotype
Alexander Hamilton(Author)
Studies in Photography (Publisher)
Published on 30. April 2023
Book
Hardback
168 pages
978-1-8383822-6-1 (ISBN)
Description
Scottish photographic artist Alexander Hamilton presents his early formative years, sharing the way his engagement with the cyanotype process has informed his art practice, from his time at Edinburgh College of Art, to his program of exhibitions and residencies, through to his work within the field of public arts. This personal history is combined with essays by academics, scholars and curators who engage with the intellectual roots of his work and practice. A comprehensive selection of Hamilton's photography, including his unique plant-based cyanotypes, completes this beautiful book.
Reviews / Votes
Deep blue is the thread running through this unique book, which is a compelling compilation: an artist's colorful biography, a rich collection of thought-provoking essays and a gallery of remarkably detailed contemplative cyanotype photograms. Its most riveting aspect is Hamilton's ability to integrate stark opposites in his life and artwork. Always true to his profound connection to nature and the Scottish landscape, Alexander Hamilton was shaped by the artistic rebellions of the 1960s. He reveled in this exuberant renewal of energy, working in vibrant cities like New York, while remaining calm and connected to the land. His engagement in social and collaborative work did not stop him developing an idiosyncratic style. His astounding cyanotypes were true to the origins of the process, while ground-breaking in their delicate details and use of the plant's own colors. The high-quality matt paper of the picture section of this edition allows Hamilton's photograms to exude all their supple beauty. * Annette Golaz, author of <i>Cyanotype Toning: Using Botanicals to Tone Blueprints Naturally</i> * In Search of the Blue Flower, Alexander Hamilton and the Art of Cyanotype is a must-have book for anyone interested in the cyanotype process. Since Anna Atkins created the very first photo-illustrated book of cyanotype botanicals (British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions 1843-1853), cyanotype has become the most practiced alternative process in the world, most likely because of cyanotype's ease of use, low cost, and non-toxic chemistry. To this day, the most common cyanotype practice also remains the botanical photogram-albeit with a few new twists such as the wet cyanotype, cyanolumens, and toning. There are wonderful essays in the back of the book discussing cyanotype and Hamilton's work. I found myself most intrigued by Hamilton's fifty-year engagement with the botanical photogram which he has taken to a conceptual level beyond most of what we see today. The book-beautifully illustrated on velvety paper-is a catalogue raisonne of Hamilton's works, and a clear discussion of his artistic trajectory. He talks about his early childhood influences, and his tumultuous art school days where he was pushing the boundaries of traditional modes of art. This was followed by living in various countries including his native Scotland where he engaged with the indigenous botanicals in each place. During this time he solidified his artistic path as one of a respectful collaboration with nature and place. In his prints, nature leaves its mark. I appreciated reading about such things as Hamilton's dedication, his sense of place, his tenuous existence with the commercialization of art, his eventual arrival to a point of comfort with exhibition. This book is better than an exhibition. The reader gets to engage with Hamilton's work and life in an intimate way. In Search of the Blue Flower should serve as encouragement for any artist navigating their own trajectory, full of twists and bumps, where living life true to one's artistic core becomes more important than the art created as an outcome. * Christina Z. Anderson, Professor of Photography * 'In Search of the Blue Flower' foregrounds Alexander Hamilton's wonderful cyanotypes.? The imagery is complemented by a self-penned essay that details his remarkable history as an artist, and the intellectual roots of his work. A number of related essays by academics, scholars and curators completes this memorable publication. A rightful tribute to an exceptional artist. * Dr Tom Normand HRSA- Honorary Research Fellow- School of Art History- University of St Andrews *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
8 black and white illustrations, 140 colour illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 265 mm
Width: 210 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-8383822-6-1 (9781838382261)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Alexander Hamilton
In Search of the Blue Flower
E-Book
05/2023
Edinburgh University Press
€39.49
Available for download

Alexander Hamilton
In Search of the Blue Flower
E-Book
05/2023
Edinburgh University Press
€39.49
Available for download
Person
Alexander Hamilton is Chair of The Scottish Society for the History of Photography and is co-editor of the Journal Studies in Photography. Alexander has 50 years of professional engagement in the visual arts world. He is a practicing artist exploring connections within ecology and the arts. His work has been widely exhibited in Scotland as well as internationally in Italy, Poland and New York.
Author
Chair of The Scottish Society for the History of Photography and co-editor of the Journal Studies in PhotographyThe Scottish Society for the History of Photography
Content
Introduction
In Search of the Blue Flower
Early years
Edinburgh College of Art
Stroma
Community Arts
New York
Paris
The Photographers' Gallery
Public Service and Life Science Trust
Public Arts , Exhibitions, Residency
The Great Divide The Fruitmarket Gallery, 2002
Landscape in 22 Movements Perth Concert Hall, 2004
Glenfinlas Edinburgh Arts Festival, 2008
Theory of the Petal Dobre, 2007
Blue Flora Celtica Foksal Gallery, Warsaw, 2008
Sensorium Brantwood House and Lancaster University, 2009
The Trace Muzalewska Gallery, Poznan, 2009
On the Edge of the World - Darwin Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, 2010
Stromata (touring exhibition) Scottish Highlands, 2011
Designing for Dignity Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow, 2014
The Life Science Trust, Pishwanton, 2019
Further Observations on my Career as an Artist
The Art of Cyanotype Essays on the Artist's Practice
Paradox in Blue, Mike Ware
The Cyanotype Process, James Berry
A Shining Aesthetic, Richard Ovenden
Strategy: Get Arts, Christian Weikop
Dunnet Head, Vanessa Sellars
Emblem of a Quest Euan McArthur
Glenfinlas, Julie Lawson
Blue Flora Celtica, Gemma Rolls-Bentley
Sensorium: Pictures from Nature's Laboratory, Howard Hull
The Trace, Jaromir Jedlinski
The Trace, Piotr Tryjanowski
On the Edge of the World British Council Exhibition, John Hope Gateway Gallery
Stromata, Christine Gunn
Pishwanton, Alexander Hamilton
Haar Wood, Sara Stevenson
The Cyanotypes 1971- 2020
Biography
Timeline
Publications/References
In Search of the Blue Flower
Early years
Edinburgh College of Art
Stroma
Community Arts
New York
Paris
The Photographers' Gallery
Public Service and Life Science Trust
Public Arts , Exhibitions, Residency
The Great Divide The Fruitmarket Gallery, 2002
Landscape in 22 Movements Perth Concert Hall, 2004
Glenfinlas Edinburgh Arts Festival, 2008
Theory of the Petal Dobre, 2007
Blue Flora Celtica Foksal Gallery, Warsaw, 2008
Sensorium Brantwood House and Lancaster University, 2009
The Trace Muzalewska Gallery, Poznan, 2009
On the Edge of the World - Darwin Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, 2010
Stromata (touring exhibition) Scottish Highlands, 2011
Designing for Dignity Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Glasgow, 2014
The Life Science Trust, Pishwanton, 2019
Further Observations on my Career as an Artist
The Art of Cyanotype Essays on the Artist's Practice
Paradox in Blue, Mike Ware
The Cyanotype Process, James Berry
A Shining Aesthetic, Richard Ovenden
Strategy: Get Arts, Christian Weikop
Dunnet Head, Vanessa Sellars
Emblem of a Quest Euan McArthur
Glenfinlas, Julie Lawson
Blue Flora Celtica, Gemma Rolls-Bentley
Sensorium: Pictures from Nature's Laboratory, Howard Hull
The Trace, Jaromir Jedlinski
The Trace, Piotr Tryjanowski
On the Edge of the World British Council Exhibition, John Hope Gateway Gallery
Stromata, Christine Gunn
Pishwanton, Alexander Hamilton
Haar Wood, Sara Stevenson
The Cyanotypes 1971- 2020
Biography
Timeline
Publications/References