Exhibition 2020 | Photo
Ava Ragusa | Bethany (Beth) Jackson Untitled Digital Photography Inkjet Print
I chose to explore the themes of identity, belonging and discovery through my self-directed folio. I did this through taking two series of self-portraits. This allowed my control over my subject, and as Francesca Woodman said, “It’s a matter of convenience, I’m always available” which is extra applicable in Covid times. I was inspired by surrealism and the idea of the unconscious mind, to learn more about oneself and used my own experience with teenaged hood, mental illness and coming of age more generally to direct my work. My first series of images focused specifically on mental illness and, presented in a grid like format depicts three distinct stages of coming to terms with a changing identity. The first being discovery, second being comprehension or understanding and third being the joy of change and becoming a truer person to myself. My second series of works depicts my sometimes-complicated relationship to gender. This series started out as a critic on the patriarchal society that allows the male privileged, which ultimately leads to abuse. The series, however, morphed into an exploration of my own relationship with gender and how I have found solace in a more androgynous presentation.
‘Fears and Phobias’ Inkjet prints My photographs reflect on the idea of fears and phobias. I chose to explore this topic as I wanted to learn more about this topic and what makes other people uncomfortable or scared. By choosing this topic I also had to confront some of my own fears which made me uncomfortable. I also learnt why certain phobias scare people, and discovered certain fears and phobias I had previously never heard about.
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