To Express and Stay Hidden, 2019
To Express and Stay Hidden is a selection of abstract floral lumen prints produced in 2019. It is a series of images which captures the struggle of expressing and keeping hidden the struggles of life. Through a process of exploration and reflection with camera-less photographic techniques, specifically the Lumen process which was chemically manipulated through the development process, I found a way to develop and create abstract images of flowers which act as a symbol for emotions. The way the flowers within the work appear is a representation of unexpressed feelings. The abstract effect is like a fog within each photograph. This created a shield, giving the illusion of protection.
The flowers used in the process where both fresh and dried flowers collected over the past year. Although it’s clear they are flowers, without any distinguishing features it seemingly captures the flowers essence more than its image. This produced a more abstract interpretation of the flower. I aimed to use this photographic process as a means to experiment with altering the light and chemical process. The abstract imagery symbolised a personal visual exploration project created to find a way to express myself through these botanical plants.
To express and stay hidden was exhibited at Nottingham Trent University in the Chemistry Lab 2019, Broadway Gallery in Nottingham 2019, Free Range in the Old Truman Brewery, London 2019 and OFF Bratislava in 2019.