Jaclyn Mahaffey & Tosca Grünewald

Alba Atrata is the collaborative effort of two friends, Jaclyn Mahaffey and Tosca Grünewald. They each apply their unique skill sets to express their passion for detail in the creation of their art, Jaclyn as a medical doctor and Tosca as a landscape architect. 

The creation of the monochrome images is undertaken through the uncommon method of x-raying fauna and flora specimens. The choice of radiography as a medium is used to reveal unimaginable detail that cannot be seen by the naked eye - the inner workings of a specimen, the hidden seeds of a plant, the secret unfolding of an insects wings or the magic of a bloom. 

When comparing the original specimen and the resultant works, that is when you realise the intrinsic detail that we do not see with the naked eye. The works celebrate this detail and the infinite structural imperfections of nature. 

“Having people dear to us who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, we felt it important that our work celebrate the incredible bravery of these courageous souls and support the advance in the diagnosis of this disease as such a portion of the proceeds of our work is donated to a foundation that helps make routine screening available to all communities.”