Artist Statement

Helio VanJo Print Exhibition

By Jo Beaudreau

These prints are made from a process called Helio VanJo. This technique combines the Van Dyke photographic process, a commercially available sunscreen product, and serigraphy. The ethereal images in this exhibition were possible by incorporating the sunscreen ultra violet light blocking properties of the sunscreen chemicals with the Van Dyke photo process.

Traditionally, the UV light sensitive Van Dyke photographic process uses sunlight to expose areas covered by a negative. I introduced a sunscreen chemical to the process resulting in more control and creative power over the UV sensitivity dynamics of the traditional process. This UV photosensitive agent stops or slows down the exposed image from processing in areas not covered by this negative image. The rich brown color is characteristic of a Van Dyke image. The result of these multiple processes is unique to the Helio VanJo process.

My goal is to advance the chemical interactions and results of the sunlight driven Van Dyke process. The result of my exploration of chemical interactions and the sun created this body of work. My prints are a direct outcome of capturing and controlling solar brilliance.

The world needs the sun. Humans need the sun to process vitamins, keep warm, grow crops and prosper in a world that exists only because of the sun. Ironically, people also suffer from too much sunlight. The Helio VanJo process prints in this exhibit illustrates this dichotomy. Positives and negatives created this visual presentation of the magic of  sun exposure.

Please enjoy this show, take care of your skin!

Patent Pending