Polly- A photographer

By Lulu Kehase

Meet the vibrant and talented photographer, Polly, who was raised in Tulse Hill, South-East London, where she developed a passion for capturing the essence of both nature and art through her lens.

Polly’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the artistic spirit in the face of societal norms. The daunting prospect of turning art into a career loomed over her, a challenge that many artists know all too well. Excelling academically in secondary school, Polly found herself succumbing to external pressures, studying Liberal Arts at university in Leeds. 

Yet, the stifling conformity left her uninspired and bored. Recognising the need to be selfish in pursuing her true passion, she shifted to the creative world of photography. Her journey from uninspired academia to the vibrant world of storytelling should be considered a win – a reminder that embracing an artistic career, even in the face of societal pressures, can lead to a path of genuine happiness and fulfilment.

Now studying photography in Bristol, Polly’s recent work has been fueled by a desire to make the intangible tangible, focusing on the theme of making the ‘invisible visible’.

Her current project sheds light on the often-overlooked topic of chronic illness. She dives headfirst into a subject shrouded in stigma and silence. Through Polly’s lens, chronic illness is not just a medical condition; it’s a narrative waiting to be told.

‘It is something that is shamed but not spoken about. I think we’re all raised with the assumption that when you have an illness, it’s curable and it’s treatable, which is not always the case.’

What stands out most for me is Polly’s poetic perspective, a recognition of art’s ability to transcend barriers and ignite meaningful conversations. She calls this body of work a lasting collaboration with individuals grappling with chronic illnesses, a commitment she intends to uphold for years to come. Beyond the realm of aesthetics, Polly’s project is not just about creating beautiful visuals; it’s a call to action to reshape the narrative around subjects considered taboo. 

The power of storytelling is felt in all her work. A fan of Cordelia Fine’s Delusions of Gender, Polly seeks to question the binary view of gender. Her project, ‘Narkoum’, explored the relationship between nature, the body and identity. Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, she aimed to deconstruct what it means to be ‘male’, unveiling both masculinity’s power and vulnerability. 

As we ended our chat, we delved into the immense pressures weighing on women across various aspects of life:

‘My own initial perceptions of femininity turned out to be quite stereotypical and harsh; there are so many ways in which we can fail, and simply working hard may not just cut it’

Her words hit home, reflecting a shared feeling of the struggle to meet expectations and challenge our own beliefs. Her photography not only invites us to see the world through her eyes but also to challenge conventions, reshape narratives and perhaps, most importantly, find peace in the beauty of embracing our authentic selves.