Exercise
Reflect on the pieces of work discussed in this project in your learning log and do some further research of your own.
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself:
• How do these images make you feel?
• Do you think there’s an element of narcissism or self-indulgence in focusing on your own identity in this way?
• What’s the significance of Brotherus’s nakedness?
• Can such images ‘work’ for an outsider without accompanying text?
• Do you think any of these artists are also addressing wider issues beyond the purely personal?
Make some notes in your learning log.

Having looked at some of the images in the course handbook. I find these types of pictures hard to understand what it is I’m looking at and for?

I don’t find images like these have any form of connection when I look at them. Even by reading about the artist and seeing more artworks by them. I just can’t see it. I’m sorry, but I have to find a connection with the photographer. Probably one reason why I don’t like portraiture style of photography.

“I’m showing this series of photographs to give a visibility to those whose treatments lead nowhere. The hopeless story with an unhappy end is the story of the majority. My way of discussing the matter is to give out the pictures, not to give an interview. I’m not sure if I will be able to actually speak about this. I’m still too sad. This is the saddest thing that has happened to me since my mother’s death. Yet, I’m tired of lying and inventing excuses to this or that medication, not drinking, having to cancel trips etc. People these days aren’t ashamed of talking about sex, psychological problems, alcohol and drugs, but for some reason involuntary childlessness is very much a taboo topic….
Elina Brotherus

The above quote from the OCA coursebook. I find quite hard to understand but I know of individuals suffering with PTSD. That I can understand as I know them but there are also individuals I know using it as a way to try and beat the system so that they can benefit from it.

Gillian Wearings images I find quite strange and scary. Who is she and is she hiding from something?

So many individuals hide behind a mask to conceal something, whether this is emotions or something a little deeper with meaning behind it or not.

• How do these images make you feel? I have no feeling towards them, If anything it’s a feeling of unknown.
• Do you think there’s an element of narcissism or self-indulgence in focusing on your own identity in this way? Some may say yes there is but in these images had the beauty shown the face I would say yes. But the face is being hidden in most. So I would say no.
• What’s the significance of Brotherus’s nakedness? Nakedness I believe is a simple way of showing forms of emotions and we enter this world naked and unprotected for a split second.
• Can such images ‘work’ for an outsider without accompanying text? Simple text or not I still do not understand them.
• Do you think any of these artists are also addressing wider issues beyond the purely personal? Probably is the likely answer. Every photographer will try and resolve issues in images nowadays. It’s a modern media form where you have thousands if not millions able to see things. You just have to hope the majority can see what you are trying to portray the narrative is.

Bibliography

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2012/mar/27/gillian-wearing-takeover-mask%5Bacessed 080420]