Photographer's Book: 'Family'

Aim

Family is a photographic series of portraits I have created of my immediate family, but with a difference. Instead of following the more traditional portrait structure, I have chosen to depict only my family s hands. This fragmentation creates a different way of looking, and allows a more detailed observation of the hands, creating a strong narrative that otherwise would be overlooked. By excluding my family s faces I have removed the element that viewers are usually drawn to in a portrait, making them look instead at the lines, shapes, curves, scars and wrinkles of the hands. This perhaps removes some instantaneous judgments/preconceptions and invites a more inquisitive exploration of character from the marks of time and experience, displayed on hands. My aim is to produce a photographic book of this series. I will then hold a meet the artist day at Monkey Cage Art Gallery in Whitstable during the famous annual Oyster Festival week to show my book and create interest in my photographic practice and future projects. The money raised will enable me to produce quality printed books of my series. As a thank you for your support, I will send out gifts to those who donate to my project. Please email your name and address to: [email protected] upon donation so that I may ensure your gift reaches you. A £3 donation will receive a personal invitation to the Meet the Artist event and a signed 6x4 print. A £5 donation will receive a personal invitation to the Meet the Artist event, plus a signed A4 print. A £10 donation will receive a personal invitation to the Meet the Artist event, plus 2 signed A4 prints. A £15 donation will receive a personal invitation to the Meet the Artist event, plus a signed copy of the produced book, Family . A £20 donation will receive a personal invitation to the Meet the Artist event, plus a signed copy of the produced book, Family and 2 signed A4 prints.

‘Family’ is a photographic series of portraits I have created of my immediate family, but with a difference. Instead of following the more traditional portrait structure, I have chosen to depict only my family’s hands. This fragmentation creates a different way of looking, and allows a more detailed observation of the hands, creating a strong narrative that otherwise would be overlooked. By excluding my family’s faces I have removed the element that viewers are usually drawn to in a portrait, making them look instead at the lines, shapes, curves, scars and wrinkles of the hands. This perhaps removes some instantaneous judgments/preconceptions and invites a more inquisitive exploration of character from the marks of time and experience, displayed on hands.

My aim is to produce a photographic book of this series. I will then hold a ‘meet the artist’ day at Monkey Cage Art Gallery in Whitstable during the famous annual Oyster Festival week to show my book and create interest in my photographic practice and future projects. The money raised will enable me to produce quality printed books of my series.

As a thank you for your support, I will send out gifts to those who donate to my project. Please email your name and address to: [email protected] upon donation so that I may ensure your gift reaches you.

A £3 donation will receive a personal invitation to the ‘Meet the Artist’ event and a signed 6x4 print.
A £5 donation will receive a personal invitation to the ‘Meet the Artist’ event, plus a signed A4 print.
A £10 donation will receive a personal invitation to the ‘Meet the Artist’ event, plus 2 signed A4 prints.
A £15 donation will receive a personal invitation to the ‘Meet the Artist’ event, plus a signed copy of the produced book, “Family’.
A £20 donation will receive a personal invitation to the ‘Meet the Artist’ event, plus a signed copy of the produced book, “Family’ and 2 signed A4 prints.

About the project owner

I'm a 2nd year mature student studying towards a BA (Hons) in Photography (Contemporary Practice) at the University for the Creative Arts.

Since starting university I have created a strong photography practice, winning several awards and exhibiting in 12 exhibitions around Kent. I have had work published in both a travel guide and an arts magazine as a featured artist.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 21st May 2013