Kate Young (b.1983) is a Toronto-based photographer whose work centers on black-and-white analog processes and delves into alternative printing techniques, notably cyanotype and lumen printing. Her most recent series is a study of details within expansive landscapes, venturing into abstract forms and examining how nature is reflected through the cyanotype method. She recently showcased her work at the CONTACT Photography Festival and Gallery 44’s Annual Members Exhibition. Her photography has been featured in various publications, including the Globe and Mail and Glamour France. As a participating artist in the First Thursdays series at the Art Gallery of Ontario, she transformed the sculpture atrium with her visuals, both moving and still. She has also contributed her images to a range of musicians over the years.

Repose is a series of toned cyanotypes created during the spring and summer of 2024. Reflecting on the heaviness of city dwelling, this series was inspired by and photographed during recent excursions into the natural landscapes of British Columbia and Ontario, Canada. Within these environments, attention was given to capturing details, drawing the viewer into a world within a world and revealing an air of abstraction.

As large cities become increasingly unlivable due to rising costs, failing infrastructure, and lack of support, reconnecting with nature feels like a lifeline for preserving a sense of humanity. Back in the city, this connection to nature is carried into the cyanotype process, using the sun for exposures and natural toners to shift colors—drawing inspiration from knowledge shared by Annette Golaz in her book Cyanotype Toning: Using Botanicals to Tone Blueprints Naturally. The elemental components of the cyanotype process not only evoke this link to nature but also embody it in visual form—highlighting the intertwined relationship.