David Sokosh (b. 1963) offers a distinctive reinterpretation of Shelburne Museum’s collection through the deep blue tones of cyanotype photography. Drawing from a diverse array of objects—including weathervanes, glass goblets, quilts, and architectural details—Sokosh employs a large-format camera and the 19th-century cyanotype process to create compelling compositions. His work honors the vision of Museum founder Electra Havemeyer Webb and highlights the artistry of American material culture, highlighting the enduring beauty of this historic photographic technique.
Through Sokosh’s lens, familiar objects take on new life and meaning. A lighthouse lens, removed from its original context, becomes a striking study in form. Details from a mammoth jug evolve into rhythmic, abstract patterns. These photographs challenge viewers to observe and interpret objects with fresh perspectives, uncovering unexpected connections and associations.
Sokosh’s large-scale multimedia works range from documentary-style prints to experimental compositions on materials such as hatboxes, quilts, and even video—all using cyanotype. The work presented here is informed by Sokosh’s ongoing series Past/Present—Memory/Loss, which celebrates material culture while exploring intersections between still-life and portraiture, including self-portraiture. Blueprint of a Collection: Cyanotype Photography by David Sokosh celebrates the power of imaginative play while offering a reimagined interpretation of both Shelburne Museum’s collection and the cyanotype process.
Pleissner Gallery