Self portraits for "Seeing The Self" exhibit curated by Kawaii Matthews for Los Angeles Center of Photography. Exhibited at Sovern in Los Angeles, CA.
As I continue to evolve and move through this life, I can feel older versions of me
sloughing away leaving me open to new growth and possibility, yet
simultaneously exposed and vulnerable. As a photographer and a counselor, I
spend most of my time holding space for the emotions and experiences of
others. My role is to sit back and observe, to hold, to support, but never to be
truly seen or captured. As I grow, I'm realizing that my relationship to
photography (and relationships in general) has always been about the act of
disappearing or erasing myself from the narrative. There are so many moments
of time that I am missing from the visual archives, which makes me begin to
wonder if I was ever even there at all or worse, if I’m even here now.
sloughing away leaving me open to new growth and possibility, yet
simultaneously exposed and vulnerable. As a photographer and a counselor, I
spend most of my time holding space for the emotions and experiences of
others. My role is to sit back and observe, to hold, to support, but never to be
truly seen or captured. As I grow, I'm realizing that my relationship to
photography (and relationships in general) has always been about the act of
disappearing or erasing myself from the narrative. There are so many moments
of time that I am missing from the visual archives, which makes me begin to
wonder if I was ever even there at all or worse, if I’m even here now.
These self-portraits symbolize my beginning attempts to change that narrative and reclaim
my existence with pride and honor. I deserve to be in this space, in this body, in
this life. I deserve to be seen. It is nearly impossible to resist the oppressor when
you have accidentally internalized his rhetoric for your own, oppressing yourself
in the process. These photos document my process of expanding, in motion, in
growth, in healing, in grief, in forgiveness, in self, in body, in soul. My existence is
dynamic, it is bold, it is tender, it is soulful, it is always in flux, it breathes, it
grows, it exists. It exists.
my existence with pride and honor. I deserve to be in this space, in this body, in
this life. I deserve to be seen. It is nearly impossible to resist the oppressor when
you have accidentally internalized his rhetoric for your own, oppressing yourself
in the process. These photos document my process of expanding, in motion, in
growth, in healing, in grief, in forgiveness, in self, in body, in soul. My existence is
dynamic, it is bold, it is tender, it is soulful, it is always in flux, it breathes, it
grows, it exists. It exists.
As you review my images, I invite you to take a deep breath into your own body, to recognize the space you are taking up, to perhaps take up a bit more, to embrace the vulnerability, the discomfort and the connection. You are here. Skin and bones and heart and soul. Let’s be here together.
