Artist Statement

Within
Giclee Prints, Ink

A bed is a place of slumber, reverie, solace, contemplation and reflection – an intimate retreat from the rest of the world. It is in my bed where I can confront the truth about how I feel, free of the weight of the exterior.

We do not completely reveal who we are in public, but a version or versions of self. Who are we in the comfort of our private spaces? Privacy is sacred and intimate. I sought to open up this intimacy, so I looked to the people I relate to – my friends. I found that we often address what we put into and onto our bodies, yet neglect how we feel beneath the surface. To explore this, I initiated a personal exchange with each friend within the confines of private space - her bedroom.

I started by asking: “how do you feel in your skin?” I photographed her on her bed, stripped of the security of outer garments. I questioned how she feels about her body, how she internalizes this and how she perceives herself. I listened closely and shared my own feelings, participating as a confidant. While the circumstance was prearranged, our conversation was genuine and the emotions were raw. She then wrote a statement based on the experience - an overall reflection, a new revelation – the choice was hers.

“The body is merely a shell, a structure housing the real person inside. The body is a perception, a construction - sometimes an obsession. But most importantly: an illusion.” - excerpted response from one of the participants