Fife Contemporary

Eleanor Buffam is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and musician. Working mainly in cyanotype printing and painting, Buffam’s visual art often explores identity and connection, with a belief that art is vital in developing empathy and tolerance. She covers subjects ranging from sexual identity to flowers in her garden.

“I believe that art is vital in developing empathy and tolerance
by exploring diverse viewpoints and creatively exploring possibilities“

In 2019 Eleanor Buffam became ill with a debilitating chronic illness (ME/CFS), limiting what she can do, and forcing her to slow down her processes and explore less intensive ways of creating.

The Covid-19 lockdown began a period of creative adaptation, with Buffam spending several years mostly housebound and studying her immediate surroundings. 

“For years my world has been this small, and I wanted to explore and share the beauty
and wonder of a simple bramble flower or nasturtium, grown in a tiny urban garden in Leith.“

Borage Pod, 2024 

Cyanotype print on silk

Eleanor Buffam uses cyanotype printing as it is a relatively inexpensive and accessible form of photography, and can be done at home without the need for darkroom equipment.

By mixing a simple chemical solution and exposing surfaces to UV light, Buffam can capture lasting imprints of scenes around her garden, which she often enhances with additional paints and inks.

Buffam is currently working on a series of close-ups, exploring the often overlooked details of simple flowers in the garden, such as the tiny blooms of rosemary flowers, or the inner caves of nasturtiums. See recent work from this series below.

Click to zoom

Click to see a short film ‘The Garden’ capturing the varied natural elements of the artist’s home garden environment

About Eleanor Buffam

Eleanor Buffam has exhibited widely throughout the UK including at the Mall Galleries (London), the Scottish Portrait Awards (Edinburgh and Glasgow), Edinburgh Printmakers (Edinburgh) and National Galleries of Scotland (Edinburgh). 

As well as making visual art, Buffam is currently writing a sci-fi trilogy with her husband, has performed in various musical groups including the Gaelic singing group Na Cait Fhiadhaich, and plays piano, sings, and is learning the treble viol.

Find out more about In Tension and see exhibiting pages from other artists