I humbly admit that I have spent the many years becoming a master of copperplate photogravure. This technique of visual expression is what took me to Arizona for graduate school. The nature of the process embraces traditions of photography and printmaking; requires a great deal of patience, tenacity, and time; and necessitates copper. Arizona is one of the world's leading copper producers and although I enjoyed imagining a drive up to Jerome to harvest my own ore and make the plates needed for my work; I order beautiful mirror polish sheets of copper from New Jersey. The lost connection between the harvest and the use is troubling.
Copper Mine provides a visual record of my journey to better understand this essential material and serves as a connection between industry and culture. This project was made possible through the generous support and funding from the Arizona Commission on the Arts Artist Project Grant.