An interview by Giselle Francis
3 words to describe your style
Vibrant, imaginative and experimental
What was the inspiration for your newest publication?
Initially, I was interested in exploring how the body inhabits spaces in relation to performance and self-portraiture. I wanted to use the photograph as an object, as that was something I had began to experiment with in other personal work.
In ‘Mannequins’ by Carlijn Jacobs and James Chester, the use of mannequins as models inspired me to experiment with dressing unconventional figures. This led to the idea of dressing cutout images of myself with matching landscapes, creating dolls of myself. Seana Gavin’s ‘Entrance to Paradise’ inspired the concept of envisioning my own paradise, which is where the title ‘Bella’s World’ originated. It provided the direction for how each image doll would be dressed and placed within the project.
What’s your favourite part of your publication?
I love the behind-the-scenes images that accompany each collage because they take me back to the fun of the shoot and creation process. They hold such happy and nostalgic memories for me especially as I don’t live in that flat anymore.
Why did you decide to be your own muse?
Honestly, it came down to convenience. For a long time, I struggled to bring most of my ideas to life because assembling a team and finding the right model was always a challenge, often causing projects to stall before they even started. I had limited time to create this project and I wanted the process to be as quick and seamless as possible so the project had a strong energy to it.
Whilst I was at uni I also always tried to approach each brief differently to push myself out of my comfort zone and I had never explored self portraiture so that was another reason to apply it to my final project on the course.
If you weren’t pursuing art what would you be doing?
I’d probably be a florist. My dad is a gardener, so being around plants reminds me of him and I love giving people flowers or pressing them in sketchbooks.
What brands/designers/artists inspire you?
I get super inspired by children’s books as the narratives and images always make me laugh and have lots of character to them. Different artists who inspire me are Sam Taylor-Wood’s self portraits, the vibrant colours and fantastical scenes from Pierre et Gilles and Annie Collinge’s creative compositions in her photographs, to name a few.
How does your identity as a woman enter your work if at all?
I try to focus on my work and contributions as an individual however, I recognise that my identity as a woman naturally shapes and informs my perspective, even if it’s not always something I’m consciously thinking about. The experiences I’ve had as a woman—whether it’s the way I navigate spaces, any challenges faced, or feelings I’ve developed—inevitably influence how I approach my work and how I relate
What advice would you give to other women in the arts ?
Stay true to your vision and trust your voice. It’s easy to get caught up in external expectations, but your individual perspective is your greatest strength.
Any teasers for what’s next ?
I’m in the works of putting together an exhibition at the Photobook Cafe with some friends in November, after that I am planning on starting a new project, whether that’s Bella’s World 2 or something completely different I’m not sure yet!
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