Global climate change contributes to the major restructuring of biodiversity on the planet, altering entire ecological communities down to the very color and shape of organisms. These butterflies and moths represent just a handful of species that will be impacted by an evolving environment. Referencing the early photographic cyanotype process employed by Anna Atkins as a lens for scientific study in her book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions c.1853, we swapped water for melting ice and snow to process and tone these prints as a metaphor for climate change in this series; exploring how the stochasticity of water changing from solid to liquid reflects our shared ecological uncertainty on a warming planet. The unpredictability of color and tone, and the patience required to make each print by watching ice melt on paper over indeterminate amounts of time also lent themselves to this climate impact study, resulting in each print being completely unique and a reflection of an evolving and weathered environment.

- Vaughn Shirey + Jason Edward Tucker

I am thrilled to announce that I have been accepted by The Arctic Circle Residency for the Summer 2024 voyage, where I will be continuing this series. I have had my sights set on this program since 2018 and cannot wait to be joining this amazing global cohort of 30 artists, scientists, and educators from June 8 - June 25, 2024. During those two weeks, I will be living and making artwork aboard The Antigua, a specially outfitted Barquentine sailing vessel, which sails out of Longyearbyen through the high-Arctic Svalbard Archipelago and the Arctic Ocean.

Over the last year, my collaborative partner Vaughn and I have been focusing on this series featuring Lepidoptera species (butterflies + moths), stemming from his research and my interest in site-specific cyanotype image-making. Ripples was the catalyst for my application to this unique residency, as the materials and subject matter in our work intersect perfectly with this glacial voyage. While I will be attending this residency on my own, I will be representing the entirety of our research and art-making throughout the course of the program.

Embarking upon this expedition with The Arctic Circle will expand upon Vaughn's vital Ph.D. research in Lepidoptera and the effects of climate change, allow us the opportunity to engage with other dedicated scientists, educators, and creatives from around the world, and provide a solid platform for our exciting collaborative series of new prints while furthering my site-specific studio practice.

As an artist and an employee of a small arts non-profit, I need your help to make this once-in-a-lifetime experience a reality. All print sales from Ripples will directly fund this trip or you can directly donate to my GoFundMe! If you are interested in purchasing prints, please email me at j.edwardtucker@gmail.com.