about

I have always considered myself to be a self-portrait artist but my recent work, whilst still falling more or less within the definition of self-portraiture has increasingly involved working with others as observers, as creators and as collaborators. If I were to identify a single theme running through my work from the past few years it would be the aim to define self, (my self, embodied and internal, psychological), in relation to and as shaped or perceived by other, external selves. As such it has seemed logical to me to move from working on my own towards a more collaborative approach. Also ever present is the importance I place on the process, although I do frequently photograph with no specific intention, it is my more methodical and process or performance-driven pieces that I feel are more successful.


The more I work in this way the more I begin to appreciate the extra intensity working with another brings, it forces an acute awareness of self, it pushes me as the artist to strengthen my understanding of my practice through discussing it with others and it serves as an incredibly immediate and direct way of engaging with an audience; if an individual participates in the creation of a body of work it gives them some ownership of and a greater interest in the finished piece.


For me personally, this way or working with its performative restrictions and freedoms also brings an extra level to the images – my memories of the experience and the shared interaction with another start to become more important, more precious to me than the photographs. It frustrates and fascinates me equally