MISC

Various Projects

Exterior

Digital Photography

As humans, we have an inherent instinct to be concerned about how we are perceived by society. Our minds are wired for negativity, a survival mechanism to keep us safe, but which also leads us to worry about how others view us and yearn for approval. We hide our authentic selves for the most private moments. “Exterior” explores the way in which people craft a facade around themselves and present a mask to the world in order to protect their perception.

Influenced by the work of French artist Damien Blottière, who is most well known for his intricate collaging work to manipulate the human body, “exterior” seeks to add a new meaning to this style of photo manipulation. His style of layering images was an excellent way to portray how we hide our inner selves and protect our egos from scrutiny.

When no one is around, we are the rawest versions of ourselves, yet we are so scared of letting others see this authenticity. In this way, we craft our outward mannerisms and appearance, our exterior.

Prisoner of Self

Digital Photography

“Prisoner of Self” is a series of digital photographs intended to challenge the viewers perspectives and perceptions of identity. My choice of subject comes from my own desire and experience to share the struggle of self-identity within the LGBTQ+ community. I photographed LGBTQ+ people in their bare bodies in an empty space to convey the rawest and most genuine forms of themselves, capturing the stories and struggles they carry with their own identity. I depict the people encapsulated in plastic, a metaphor for the weight and pressure queer people confront in their own journey of self-expression and acceptance.

“Prisoner of Self” provokes the viewer to look within themselves and question the identities they have struggled with and the ones they have taken for granted, creating their self-expression and the person they have become.