Jo Holland is an artist with an eye for the unusual. The Richmond resident creates photographs without the use of a camera or negatives by directly exposing a series of objects through a lens, onto what becomes a unique ‘ilfochrome print’. Holland’s images are all the more intriguing due to the extraordinary nature of the objects she captures, from human placentas to pigs’ eyes. She spoke to Will Gore about her idiosyncratic approach and her wish to bring her work to the borough.

Will Gore: If you will excuse the pun, how did you come to develop your method of creating ilfochrome prints?
Jo Holland: In my final year at university, I discovered a way of working that combines painting and photography to create a unique photo without the use of a camera. To begin with, I could never achieve the results I wanted from painting or photography and I was directed towards an experimental course at Staffordshire University. It gave me the freedom to explore a few different areas and, in my final year, I made my first ilfochrome print. It was really small, and I knew I had to make them bigger in the future, so I went on a journey to discover how to do it. I worked with different people in Leeds, Chiswick, and now at a studio in Shoreditch in developing the technique.

WG: What is the thinking behind the choice of the strange objects that are the subjects of your images?

JH: I am fascinated how people see and what they choose to see so that is why I explored eyes, using pigs’ eyes, in one series of prints, but the placenta threw me. I didn’t see it coming as a subject for my work – I just seemed to be surrounded by pregnancy everywhere I went. With all my images, you don’t recognise what the objects are immediately and I like that crossover of reality and imagination.

WG: Is it easy to get hold of these objects?

JH: If it is animal tissue, it is easy to source from local butchers. I am now planning to work with brains but that is proving harder than I thought it would. Sourcing a human one is almost impossible.

WG: What made you want to be an artist?

JH: It was something innate in me. My mum and dad said I was born with a pencil in my hand. Dad introduced me to photography and I also had a really passionate teacher for my A-levels and she helped convert a broom cupboard into a dark room for me.

WG: What are your plans for the future?

JH: I have my own large processing machine that develops and fixes the final images but it is in storage at the moment and I am keen to find suitable premises to house it. It would be great to set it up in Richmond as I live here and would love to work in the area and to be surrounded by nature. It would also mean I would be able to create the work in a dark room and process the prints in the same place and I would love to be able to do workshops with young people.

Holland is keen to find sponsors to help her set up a studio and processor in the Richmond area. If you are interested please contact the artist by emailing info@joholland.com or visit joholland.com for more information.