05.11.20 | Self/Other Workshop

The photographs of Francesca Woodman are strikingly intimate and vulnerable, but at the same time mysterious, aloof and a bit creepy. As described by the Tate, “she often seems to be retreating into the material of the building. This makes her seem vulnerable, isolated and alienated.” Because Francesca is nude in most of her pictures, you get a sense that she is exposed, but that contrasts with the blurred quality of her images, giving the subject a sense of otherworldliness. She would use long-exposure to achieve this aesthetic, something which I would like to employ. I think the themes of her photographs feel pretty universal, that of loneliness, self-identity and vulnerability.

How do I want to represent myself? What do I want my self-portrait to say about me?

I want to represent vulnerability, transparency, truth. I am currently in a period of transition in my life, so I would like to show that. I am in the process of becoming from a teenager to an adult, with the many changes that come with that. It is exciting sometimes, but also scary, intense, colorful, lonely and sensual.

Am I referring to a broader societal issue or concern? If so, how will I refer to this in the image I create? Think about clothing, additional objects in the frame, pose etc.

I do not think I want to talk about a social issue, as a self portrait can be a very personal thing. I want this to be an expression of myself, and if I try to speak about a larger subject it may seem a bit contrived. However, I do understand how if one does sufficient research, a self portrait can be very symbolic of a larger issue, such as Robert Maplethorpe with the AIDS crisis, LGBTQ issues, etc.

Ref: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/francesca-woodman-10512/finding-francesca

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