Puro...Alegría #IV - Neo Platinum, 2022

Sparshatt Dalzell  

Puro…Alegría II is a portrait of Graciela, an icon of old Havana. It was taken in 2001 on one of my first visits to the island. Rachael’s interpretations bring alive her spirit.
James Sparshatt

Sparshatt Dalzell is a collaboration between photographer James Sparshatt and painter Rachael Dalzell.

These works combine the exacting and time consuming artistry of the palladium platinum printing process with Dalzell's expressive and immediate painting style to bring colour and drama to Sparshatt's portraits.

James Sparshatt's Spirit of Revolution series documents the strength and resillience of a generation of Cubans who have lived through a half century of tumultuous history on their island. His black and white portraits capture every wrinkle and line. Shot on the street they exude a natural charm.

They are printed as Palladium Platinum prints by master of the art Max Caffell of 31 Studio. Platinum prints are characterized by their tonal range and permanence. They are highly valued in and of themselves.

Rachael Dalzell paintings are emotional reactions to her surroundings. They are as much about mood as they are of place. Using the vibrant colour of neon acrylic paint her unique interpretations of Sparshatt's subjects add a new dimension to the work.

Each photographic portrait will have a maximum of nine Dalzell interpretations. Both artists sign the work, and the print has a 31 Studio stamp.

Rachael Dalzell's work is held in the Agnes Gund collection and hangs in many public and corporate spaces. She studied Fine Art Drawing and Painting at the Wimbledon School of Art and Complutense Universidad of Madrid.

James Sparshatt has won awards from the Center of Fine Art Photography and at the World Photography Gala as well as being a finalist in the Sony World Photogaphic Awards.

Max Caffell has produced acclaimed platinum editions for Sebastiao Salgado, the Jacques Henri Lartigue archive, Turner prize winner Simon Starling and many other photographic luminaries.