Karen Browett is a multidisciplinary artist working across print, photography, installation, moving image and sound. Her work is often influenced by previous years spent studying horticulture and working as a gardener.

Karen is also a researcher and tutor with an interest in moving towards a greener practice. On this site, alongside art works, there will be documentation of experimental and eco processes using non chemical photographic developers, natural pigment inks and other DIY investigations into a more mindful material process.

This site is a work in progress . My portfolio is being removed and restored piece by piece while being downsized to reduce data usage, so if there is any work that you want to know more about or something you can’t find feel free to get in touch.

@karen_browett
Karen

@karen_browett

Multidisciplinary artist 🌱 Photo Garden Project Development🌱 DIY punk, plant fan, lane witch 🌑 DDR Cosmetic Plague 🌑
  • Embers and oil on ‘rejected’ used photo paper from pinhole camera tests at the ocean, pointed at crashing waves and life rings that it didn’t manage to representationally catch
  • January solargraph, a pinhole camera image that exposed for about six weeks. Impatiently took it down to make sure the tin gave good exposure. These photos are not developed, the image is burnt on to the photo paper through prolonged exposure. As they are not fixed either you really only have one chance to scan them. Second image is a coffee tin pinhole camera taped to the inside of a window, third is the view
  • Working with rejected test strips to find new life in them. Buried each in different soils for a month. I tried this before and got pink tones, these were white or blue. The composting of the top layer varies wherever and whenever it’s planted and the pattern depends on what image the worms and organisms decide to make
  • Another deer, 35mm plant developer
  • City deer in Phoenix Park, 35mm developed in summer wild plant mix #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #pheonixpark #pheonixparkdeer #deer
  • For Sale as is, screen printing exposure system in need of tlc. Amazing potential for someone DIY minded who is happy to slowly set up a studio on limited budget. Similar set up to NCAD/old Bolton St DIT, a 2 part system. Perfect for a bigger home studio or a community space type set up. Details on work needed are one the link in my bio, happy to give honest detailed info. Share with anyone who may be interested!
  • The end of the long harvest. Painting over my photos with spent logs from the fire crushed in oil. 35mm photo was developed using a mix of late winter plants
  • Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
  • Feral Kale at The Field. 35mm developed using Comfrey leaf. As The Field was created by a mammoth act of guerrilla gardening by local man Tony Lowth who took it upon himself to compost over a disused car park using waste from the fruit and veg market and horse yard over years. Many species that appear there are self seeded wild and feral plants whose seed survived the composting or landed from garden birds. One particular thriving plant is a particularly unruly but majestic tree like kale which has formed waist to head height forests that creep over mounds, making dwarf height mountain ranges. Never have I seen a kale outside of its cultivated and polite neatness, living its best life as a jubilant outlaw romping chaotically over urban landscapes.
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Embers and oil on ‘rejected’ used photo paper from pinhole camera tests at the ocean, pointed at crashing waves and life rings that it didn’t manage to representationally catch
Embers and oil on ‘rejected’ used photo paper from pinhole camera tests at the ocean, pointed at crashing waves and life rings that it didn’t manage to representationally catch
@karen_browett
@karen_browett
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Embers and oil on ‘rejected’ used photo paper from pinhole camera tests at the ocean, pointed at crashing waves and life rings that it didn’t manage to representationally catch
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
January solargraph, a pinhole camera image that exposed for about six weeks. Impatiently took it down to make sure the tin gave good exposure. These photos are not developed, the image is burnt on to the photo paper through prolonged exposure. As they are not fixed either you really only have one chance to scan them. Second image is a coffee tin pinhole camera taped to the inside of a window, third is the view
January solargraph, a pinhole camera image that exposed for about six weeks. Impatiently took it down to make sure the tin gave good exposure. These photos are not developed, the image is burnt on to the photo paper through prolonged exposure. As they are not fixed either you really only have one chance to scan them. Second image is a coffee tin pinhole camera taped to the inside of a window, third is the view
January solargraph, a pinhole camera image that exposed for about six weeks. Impatiently took it down to make sure the tin gave good exposure. These photos are not developed, the image is burnt on to the photo paper through prolonged exposure. As they are not fixed either you really only have one chance to scan them. Second image is a coffee tin pinhole camera taped to the inside of a window, third is the view
@karen_browett
@karen_browett
•
Follow
January solargraph, a pinhole camera image that exposed for about six weeks. Impatiently took it down to make sure the tin gave good exposure. These photos are not developed, the image is burnt on to the photo paper through prolonged exposure. As they are not fixed either you really only have one chance to scan them. Second image is a coffee tin pinhole camera taped to the inside of a window, third is the view
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Working with rejected test strips to find new life in them. Buried each in different soils for a month. I tried this before and got pink tones, these were white or blue. The composting of the top layer varies wherever and whenever it’s planted and the pattern depends on what image the worms and organisms decide to make
Working with rejected test strips to find new life in them. Buried each in different soils for a month. I tried this before and got pink tones, these were white or blue. The composting of the top layer varies wherever and whenever it’s planted and the pattern depends on what image the worms and organisms decide to make
Working with rejected test strips to find new life in them. Buried each in different soils for a month. I tried this before and got pink tones, these were white or blue. The composting of the top layer varies wherever and whenever it’s planted and the pattern depends on what image the worms and organisms decide to make
Working with rejected test strips to find new life in them. Buried each in different soils for a month. I tried this before and got pink tones, these were white or blue. The composting of the top layer varies wherever and whenever it’s planted and the pattern depends on what image the worms and organisms decide to make
@karen_browett
@karen_browett
•
Follow
Working with rejected test strips to find new life in them. Buried each in different soils for a month. I tried this before and got pink tones, these were white or blue. The composting of the top layer varies wherever and whenever it’s planted and the pattern depends on what image the worms and organisms decide to make
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Another deer, 35mm plant developer
@karen_browett
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Another deer, 35mm plant developer
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
City deer in Phoenix Park, 35mm developed in summer wild plant mix #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #pheonixpark #pheonixparkdeer #deer
@karen_browett
@karen_browett
•
Follow
City deer in Phoenix Park, 35mm developed in summer wild plant mix #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #pheonixpark #pheonixparkdeer #deer
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
For Sale as is, screen printing exposure system in need of tlc. Amazing potential for someone DIY minded who is happy to slowly set up a studio on limited budget. Similar set up to NCAD/old Bolton St DIT, a 2 part system. Perfect for a bigger home studio or a community space type set up. Details on work needed are one the link in my bio, happy to give honest detailed info. Share with anyone who may be interested!
For Sale as is, screen printing exposure system in need of tlc. Amazing potential for someone DIY minded who is happy to slowly set up a studio on limited budget. Similar set up to NCAD/old Bolton St DIT, a 2 part system. Perfect for a bigger home studio or a community space type set up. Details on work needed are one the link in my bio, happy to give honest detailed info. Share with anyone who may be interested!
For Sale as is, screen printing exposure system in need of tlc. Amazing potential for someone DIY minded who is happy to slowly set up a studio on limited budget. Similar set up to NCAD/old Bolton St DIT, a 2 part system. Perfect for a bigger home studio or a community space type set up. Details on work needed are one the link in my bio, happy to give honest detailed info. Share with anyone who may be interested!
For Sale as is, screen printing exposure system in need of tlc. Amazing potential for someone DIY minded who is happy to slowly set up a studio on limited budget. Similar set up to NCAD/old Bolton St DIT, a 2 part system. Perfect for a bigger home studio or a community space type set up. Details on work needed are one the link in my bio, happy to give honest detailed info. Share with anyone who may be interested!
For Sale as is, screen printing exposure system in need of tlc. Amazing potential for someone DIY minded who is happy to slowly set up a studio on limited budget. Similar set up to NCAD/old Bolton St DIT, a 2 part system. Perfect for a bigger home studio or a community space type set up. Details on work needed are one the link in my bio, happy to give honest detailed info. Share with anyone who may be interested!
@karen_browett
@karen_browett
•
Follow
For Sale as is, screen printing exposure system in need of tlc. Amazing potential for someone DIY minded who is happy to slowly set up a studio on limited budget. Similar set up to NCAD/old Bolton St DIT, a 2 part system. Perfect for a bigger home studio or a community space type set up. Details on work needed are one the link in my bio, happy to give honest detailed info. Share with anyone who may be interested!
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
The end of the long harvest. Painting over my photos with spent logs from the fire crushed in oil. 35mm photo was developed using a mix of late winter plants
The end of the long harvest. Painting over my photos with spent logs from the fire crushed in oil. 35mm photo was developed using a mix of late winter plants
The end of the long harvest. Painting over my photos with spent logs from the fire crushed in oil. 35mm photo was developed using a mix of late winter plants
The end of the long harvest. Painting over my photos with spent logs from the fire crushed in oil. 35mm photo was developed using a mix of late winter plants
@karen_browett
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Follow
The end of the long harvest. Painting over my photos with spent logs from the fire crushed in oil. 35mm photo was developed using a mix of late winter plants
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
@karen_browett
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Curlew, 35mm developed in Cleavers, Nettle and Comfrey. Not the sharpest photos (taken during a setting sun on a grey day) but there are only 105 breeding pairs of Curlew left in Ireland and I didn’t want to be disturbing this beauty by getting any nearer. I’ve watched the pair here for a couple of years but I’m yet to hear the song, a rare sound that in bygone times featured in so many tales and poems. In 1990 there were over 5,000 breading pairs.  #oddkinbrew #plantbaseddeveloper #plantbasedphotography #ecodarkroom #sustainablepractice #artandecology #35mm #oddkin #alternativephotography #curlew #irishbirds #comfrey #cleavers #nettles #conservation
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Feral Kale at The Field. 35mm developed using Comfrey leaf. As The Field was created by a mammoth act of guerrilla gardening by local man Tony Lowth who took it upon himself to compost over a disused car park using waste from the fruit and veg market and horse yard over years. Many species that appear there are self seeded wild and feral plants whose seed survived the composting or landed from garden birds. One particular thriving plant is a particularly unruly but majestic tree like kale which has formed waist to head height forests that creep over mounds, making dwarf height mountain ranges. Never have I seen a kale outside of its cultivated and polite neatness, living its best life as a jubilant outlaw romping chaotically over urban landscapes.
Feral Kale at The Field. 35mm developed using Comfrey leaf. As The Field was created by a mammoth act of guerrilla gardening by local man Tony Lowth who took it upon himself to compost over a disused car park using waste from the fruit and veg market and horse yard over years. Many species that appear there are self seeded wild and feral plants whose seed survived the composting or landed from garden birds. One particular thriving plant is a particularly unruly but majestic tree like kale which has formed waist to head height forests that creep over mounds, making dwarf height mountain ranges. Never have I seen a kale outside of its cultivated and polite neatness, living its best life as a jubilant outlaw romping chaotically over urban landscapes.
Feral Kale at The Field. 35mm developed using Comfrey leaf. As The Field was created by a mammoth act of guerrilla gardening by local man Tony Lowth who took it upon himself to compost over a disused car park using waste from the fruit and veg market and horse yard over years. Many species that appear there are self seeded wild and feral plants whose seed survived the composting or landed from garden birds. One particular thriving plant is a particularly unruly but majestic tree like kale which has formed waist to head height forests that creep over mounds, making dwarf height mountain ranges. Never have I seen a kale outside of its cultivated and polite neatness, living its best life as a jubilant outlaw romping chaotically over urban landscapes.
@karen_browett
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•
Follow
Feral Kale at The Field. 35mm developed using Comfrey leaf. As The Field was created by a mammoth act of guerrilla gardening by local man Tony Lowth who took it upon himself to compost over a disused car park using waste from the fruit and veg market and horse yard over years. Many species that appear there are self seeded wild and feral plants whose seed survived the composting or landed from garden birds. One particular thriving plant is a particularly unruly but majestic tree like kale which has formed waist to head height forests that creep over mounds, making dwarf height mountain ranges. Never have I seen a kale outside of its cultivated and polite neatness, living its best life as a jubilant outlaw romping chaotically over urban landscapes.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9