2018. Monoprint 38 x 49 cm cm. From Project 4.2 Self Portrait: Self Image Reflected 3. Concept: The eight months February to September 2018 when I worked on this course was a time of confusion, stress and transition in my life. This reflected self image is based on an iPad photo – what I see when I look down at the screen, even if others said (kindly?) that that is not how I look to them. It encapsulated many of my inner feelings and insecurities at the time. It is large (rather than iPad size) because I was totally self-obsessed. The tissue paper is fragile – a layered mask – the way I was withdrawing behind an appearance of cold arrogance to hide depression. The lines and creases over the face, and the tightness of the lips are how I felt growing older – and meaner? I later realised why I found the image so disquieting – the eyes are looking in slightly different directions. The eye at the back engages critically and aggressively, while the eye at the front down avoids the viewer’s gaze. A realisation that helped me re-start a process of personal change.
Technical Details: Combination monoprint – backtracing on top of substractive ghost print on tissue paper. Mounted on cartridge paper.