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Alice Bailey is drawn to photogravure, a printmaking method that chemically etches photographs onto copper plates, producing images with a unique, subtle color quality she describes as "nerdy." This technique, which originated in the 19th century, allows for detailed and textured prints that capture the essence of her subjects.
Bailey’s project, "Kuskokwim Photogravures," documents the subsistence lifestyle of villages along Alaska’s Kuskokwim River. Through her photogravures, she preserves moments of daily life, landscapes, and cultural practices that are integral to the communities.
Her work includes images such as "Jinger," a 10x10 inch photogravure printed in 2019, which depicts a local figure near the river. Bailey recalls that the stairs and beach area in the photo were destroyed by ex-Typhoon Halong in October 2025, highlighting the vulnerability of these environments.
Another notable piece, "Tent with Tree," is a 15x15 inch print showing a tent set against a tree, created through careful etching and hand inking of the copper plate. Bailey’s process involves testing ferric chloride etching baths with a density scale to achieve the desired image depth and tone.
Photographs from the Nunalleq archaeological site near Quinhagak, taken in 2017, feature young Jinger, Sarah Brown, and Bailey herself. This area was also washed away by ex-Typhoon Halong in 2025, underscoring the impact of climate events on cultural heritage sites.
Bailey’s studio work involves polishing and burnishing the soft copper plates to enhance the final print’s effect. Her prints, such as "Bent Pipe" and "Owl," both 10x10 inches and printed in 2019, showcase the fine detail and tonal range achievable with photogravure.
In 2013, Bailey photographed drying moose and caribou meat at the Esai family’s Silvertip Camp, capturing traditional food preservation methods vital to subsistence living.
Through "Kuskokwim Photogravures," Alice Bailey offers a vivid, artistic record of life in Alaska’s Kuskokwim villages, blending historical printmaking techniques with contemporary cultural documentation.
Photos courtesy of Alice Bailey unless otherwise noted.
