Meghann Riepenhoff, Cyanotypes, and the Art of Leadership

Imagine standing at the edge of a stormy shore, the wind whipping against your face, waves crashing unpredictably around you. This is the chaotic, yet exhilarating, world Meghann Riepenhoff steps into as she lets nature dictate the outcome of her cyanotype art—an uncontrollable dance between water, light, and time. Now, picture a leader navigating the fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape, where market shifts, unforeseen challenges, and team dynamics swirl like an untamed ocean. Both the artist and the leader face the raw, untamable forces around them—so how do they turn this chaos into something meaningful, even beautiful? What separates those who get swept away from those who ride the wave to success?

Cyanotype is one of the earliest photographic processes, using a solution of iron compounds that, when exposed to UV light, creates beautiful blue-toned images. Riepenhoff takes this process one step further, allowing nature to take the lead. She places the sensitized paper directly into the elements—submitting it to the whim of wind, water, and sediment. The resulting images are not carefully controlled but rather the outcome of nature’s collaboration. It’s a delicate balance of intent and surrender, much like the art of leadership.

Riepenhoff’s cyanotypes are born from a collaboration with nature’s unpredictable elements, and leadership is no different. A leader who embraces uncertainty, dives headfirst into challenges, and adapts in real-time mirrors the artist’s willingness to surrender control. Whether it’s a storm crashing over her cyanotype paper or a sudden organizational crisis, both artist and leader understand that outcomes are not always predictable, but the willingness to engage is what shapes the result. Each decision, each brush with the unknown, leaves its mark.

In leadership, just like in Riepenhoff’s art, risk is inherent. The artist never knows what the waves will bring, and leaders don’t always know how their teams or markets will respond to change. But it’s this very act of embracing risk that fosters growth and innovation. Leaders, like artists, must balance a strategic vision with an openness to chaos, knowing that sometimes the best outcomes arise when you stop trying to control every element and let the environment shape the path forward.

The most impactful cyanotypes are the ones where Riepenhoff allows nature to take its course—where the unpredictable forces of wind, water, and sediment create something that no artist could plan. Similarly, the most resilient leaders are those who understand that leadership isn’t about maintaining control at all times, but about navigating the messy, muddy waters of business with grace, resilience, and a willingness to adapt.

So, the next time you face uncertainty, whether in art or leadership, consider this: Are you willing to step into the storm, embrace the chaos, and let the unpredictable forces around you shape your journey? Because sometimes, it’s in the chaos that the most extraordinary outcomes are found.

Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene is on view 8.29.24 – 1.5.2025 at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University .

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