The immediate location in which I find myself today is very similar to that where I spent my earliest years – in a beautiful piece of nature – away from the bustle of the cities in which I lived for much of the intervening time. In addition to my life-long love for the natural world, I have developed a deep interest in the imagery of buildings and architectural elements.
A passion for Surrealism led me to the mid 20th century artists Minor White and Jerry Uelsmann, who combined natural and the architectural elements in their works in the most creative ways. More recently German artist Sabine Hornig inspired me with her images of modernist architecture, and especially windows and glass, and Uta Barth takes this a stage further by challenging how the viewer sees the structures by adjusting the focus.
The role of glass in reflection and transmission became a focus for my work, as well as shadow, and led me to consider how these elements might be employed as a means of creating an image of self. Vivian Maier’s Self-Portaits , and Lee Freidlander’s work were particularly influential. I was also very excited by the surrealist nature of John Stezaker’s work, in particular the placement of multiple images.
Extensive study of Francesca Woodman’s self imagery further developed my insight into the use of juxtaposition of space and time. This generated my interest in the concept of Trace – defined as ‘a mark, object or other indication of the existence or passing of something’.
The ‘Square Mile’ brief provides an exciting opportunity to develop these ideas further to create a series of images. My intention is to produce an intimate portrayal of the space that I occupy ,of which I am an integral part. I wish to allow the viewer an insight into my relationship with it and the things, living, built and created that are contained within.
Using reflection, transmission and shadow primarily, my aim is to generate images with multiple apsects – behind, through and beyond – leaving the viewer to interpret the images as they wish.
A Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera was used, with either a fixed 50mm lens, or a 24-70mm, and all images were hand-held. Time of day was selected to ensure the light was suitable for reflection in the chosen surfaces, and interior shots were without flash. Twelve images were selected to represent different aspects of the space that is my Square Mile, and all involve reflection or shadow, with the majority including an element of self within the frame.
As a series, the images work well and I believe it achieves my objective, defined above. To improve the work, the use of a tripod and remote shutter control would allow more accuracy and to emphasise the element of trace, movement of the subject through the space on a slow shutter speed would allude to the subject’s presence.
I am keen to continue to develop my interest in the use of reflection in my work, and to expand the concept of trace.
ByLovekin 