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statement of intent – personal study

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My personal study will focus on mental illness and the different areas that it can affect, such as; education, home life, work, whilst also capturing the different 'levels' in a sense, from somewhat mild emotional distress, to more severe issues that sometimes require hospitalisation. Throughout this project I am going to investigate how not only the effects of mental illness affect the sufferer, but also how they are portrayed to the people surrounding them. I feel that this fits the stimulus of 'Occupation v Liberation' as people can often be overtaken by these illnesses, but CAN be 'liberated' through recovery, likewise they could be occupied by the stigma of mental illness, more than the illness it self. 

The reason I chose mental illness as my personal study was based on my own journey with it. I have spent over two and a half years known to Jerseys mental health services, and hospitalised numerous times, but despite this, between age 15, and my 18th birthday, the 17th August 2019, I had gained a childcare qualification, volunteered at 6 different places, worked 5 different jobs and made it through my first a level year. Recovery was made a very real possibility. Liberation.

During this I am going to use a mixture of self portraits, both on my own and including some of the people closest to me, and old archival imagery to show the progression of time, and how long, and how hard, this 'occupation' is. In order to do this so that I too am in the image I am going to have to put my camera on to the self timer setting, adjusting the shutter speed and iso to the type of lighting i am using, and how bright it is. I am also going to try to take inspiration from Francesca Woodman and manipulate my images to try to convey emotional state.  

However, due to the subject of mental health, and mental illness being extremely sensitive subjects I am going to have to ensure that with every photoshoot, and every justification of my images, I keep to the forefront of my mind that there is an extremely thin line between representative and offensive.

One thought on “statement of intent – personal study”

  1. Here is a link to an lesson plan on the position of a photographer being Inside or Outside of the subject/situation.

    https://www.photopedagogy.com/insideout.html

    Consider some of the initial questions and also consider some of the activities at the end – which you could use to respond to as a photographer.

    Make sure you also read the original essay Inside/Outside by critic Abigail Solomon Godeau. It is very academic but I’m sure you can get something from it that will help you understand the two different positions. Try and identify a couple of quotes that you could use to expand your own argument.

    Although the above are using other artists, as examples try and apply some of her critical thinking and theory to your own study on Francesca Woodman and Mary Ellen Mark (I’ll bring in her book, Ward 81 next week)

    I have also left another text you need to read about Woodman’s work.

    In terms of you making your own images, try and make at least 10 images using your mobile everyday which responds to the situation you find yourself in on a daily basis – both good and bad.

    For further help see the personal study produced by a previous student, who also were exploring mental health and personal issues

    https://hautlieucreative.co.uk/photo17ase/author/ahouiellebecq07/

    Here is a link to her photobook: Inside Out – I have left a hardcopy in the classroom for you to browse through

    Essay which include analysis of Francesca Woodman’s work

    Your project has real potential and I’m convinced that you will do a really good project – as long as you try and do something daily ie. making photographs, reading, work on essay, produce a blog post etc.

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