About Cameraless Art Studio
Cameraless Art Studio is a creative space dedicated to the art of experimental photography, specializing in cyanotypes and chemigrams. Founded by visual artist Mollie Serena, the studio explores unique, handcrafted processes where light, chemistry, and natural materials merge to create one-of-a-kind prints.
Based in New York City’s Lower East Side, Mollie brings a deep artistic background to her work. She holds a BFA in Photography from Parsons School of Design, along with a Master's in Art and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from The European Graduate School’s Philosophy, Art, and Critical Thought division. Her approach blends historical photographic methods with modern interpretations, pushing the boundaries of cameraless image-making.
This site serves as both a portfolio and a space to share and sell original artworks. Every piece begins without the intervention of a camera, celebrating the beauty of direct interaction with light-sensitive materials. Explore the gallery to discover artwork inspired by nature, abstraction, and the poetics of light.
My work in cameraless photography is a study of objects and their unique existence, as inspired by Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO) as developed by my professor Graham Harman at The European Graduate School. Cyanotype, with its history as a medium for recording and archiving, serves as an ideal framework for examining the philosophical notion that objects possess agency beyond human interpretation. Using natural elements and found objects, my cyanotypes transform the ordinary into something ethereal, offering a new perspective on familiar materials. By directly placing these objects onto light-sensitive surfaces, I allow light and shadow to interact autonomously, creating images that capture the essence of the objects without human mediation. This process reflects the core tenet of OOO, which posits that objects exist independently of our perception of them.
-Mollie Serena
Join the creative journey on YouTube for process videos, reveals, and behind-the-scenes content from the studio.