Lucy Fradley, 22Graduating Photography BA (Hons) Edinburgh College of Art 2020

How often do we reflect on ourselves? I created a series of pieces processing how relationships, objects and spaces can help us observe our own identity - a self-portrait.

I started with the connections that I have with people around me and considered the important relationships with friends and family, but this altered as an inner reflection became paramount after I found myself at a transitional point in my life; I had to navigate my own journey, leading to a profound investigation of myself through photography.

Some of my recent work is more abstract; I playfully stage a performance for the camera to navigate the individual, whilst also leaving the work open-ended for the viewer’s interpretation. This allowed me the opportunity to create a visual reflection of my confidence and explore how my self-view had shifted. I experimented with ideas of symbolism, which I then translated in my photography. To show my new self-view I used balance and mirrors, vivid colours, and my own body. Increasingly, I used mirrors throughout my project linking them to take a deeper look into my own mind. I created multiple, partial and interrupted views of myself; a reflection of the way we all see differently, and we are each individually complex.

Displaying the work with mirrors in my idea degree proposal is designed to give viewers a different perspective as they become entwined with the art itself, forcing them to look harder and engage in creating their own self-portrait and performance. My work is targeted at those looking to examine and challenge their own perceptions of who they are and those prepared to reflect their own personal journey closely. I invite them to join me in my performance.

I took significant inspiration and direction from the following artists: Mark Neville, Marjolaine Ryley, Birthe Piontek, Lee Friedlander and Florence Henri, among many others.

Barriers to Viewing

Connection - relationships, 2020. 35mm Fujifilm, Pentax. 29x44 cm.

Connection - relationships, 2020. 35mm Fujifilm, Pentax. 29x44 cm.

Connection - spaces, 2020. 35mm Fujifilm, Pentax. 29x44 cm.

Connection - spaces, 2020. 35mm Fujifilm, Pentax. 29x44 cm.

Untitled, 2020. 35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 29x44 cm.

Untitled, 2020. 35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 29x44 cm.

Facsimiled, 2020.35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 29x44 cm.

World Apart, 2020.35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 42x63 cm

Full Circle, 2020.35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 42x63 cm

Nebulous, 2020. 35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 29x30.5 cm.

Espy Perspective, 2020. 35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 29x32.5 cm.

Not Beyond, 2020. 35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 84x127 cm.

Surmount, 2020. 35mm Fuji colour Film, Pentax. 84x127 cm.

Proposed Final Degree Show

Cardboard, mount board, clear and reflective perspex, card and paper photograph prints, a model of proposed degree show, work scaled to fit 12x16 inch box.

Email: Fradleycreative@gmail.comInstagram: @Lucyfradleyphotography