Radiant Presence- Kate Breakey's Orotones at photo-eye Gallery

photo-eye Gallery Radiant Allure Kate Breakey's Orotones at photo-eye Gallery Alexandra Jo A selection of 24kt gold leaf orotones featuring images of trees is included in Tree Stories, Kate Breakey’s solo exhibition currently on view at photo-eye Gallery. The orotones add brightness and depth to the subtle hand-colored archival pigment prints and delicate hand-embroidered photographs on silk that make up the rest of the exhibition.

Kate Breakey, Eucalyptus Tree, Fallen Boughs, Kangaroo Island, Archival pigment ink on glass, 24kt gold leaf, 10 x 15 inches, edition of 20, $1920 framed 

The luminescent flash of Kate Breakey’s orotones is a large part of their instant allure. These works are made by printing images directly onto glass, and then carefully applying 24 karat gold leaf behind the ink. The orotones shimmer when directly lit and emanate a warm glow in subdued lighting. The contrast between the ink and gold backing, and the way light is reflected from the gold, creates a shifting, radiant presence that thoroughly captivates viewers.

Kate Breakey, Eucalyptus Trees, Xmas Day,
South Australia, Archival pigment ink on glass,
24kt gold leaf, 5 x 12 inches, Edition of 20, $1375 framed 

The other side of what makes these unique works so appealing to a wide audience is being able to understand Breakey’s motivation for creating them. In her artist statement about the series, she explains that these works are “an act of investigation — a passionate attempt to establish an understanding of the natural world.” Breakey uses the images in her orotones to highlight and record individual moments in the world that might otherwise go unseen. This insight allows viewers to truly appreciate Breakey’s selective eye and knack for observation.

Like most of Breakey’s work, the orotones are editioned, and yet there is room for variance and individuality in each piece. Since each work is custom framed, and the gold leaf is applied by hand (like the embroidery and hand-applied color in her other works) no two images in an edition will be entirely identical. This makes each piece feel special, and function as a unique object.

A selection of the orotones featuring images of trees is included in Tree Stories, Kate Breakey’s solo exhibition currently on view at photo-eye Gallery. The show combines work from three different series of Breakey’s work, displaying a range of photographic techniques that she is known for. The orotones add brightness and depth to the subtle hand-colored archival pigment prints and delicate hand-embroidered photographs on silk that make up the rest of the exhibition.

Kate Breakey, Scrub, Kangaroo Island, Australia, Archival pigment ink on glass, 24kt gold leaf, 10 x 15 inches, 
Edition of 20, $1925 framed 

Tree Stories is on view at photo-eye Gallery through February 22, 2020. photo-eye Gallery will also show a selection of Kate Breakey's orotones to Photo LA at the end of January. 

»View more work by Kate Breakey

»Read more about Kate Breakey

»More info on Photo LA

All prices listed were current at the time this post was published.

For more information, and to purchase artworks, please contact photo-eye Gallery Staff at:

(505) 988-5152 x 202 or gallery@photoeye.com

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Current Exhibition
Tree Stories: Kate Breakey

On view through February 22, 2020

» View work in Tree Stories 

» View Breakey's Hand Colored Prints

» View Breakey's Orotones

photo-eye Gallery | 541 S. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 

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