My concentration reveals a physically manipulated identity by questioning the truth of a digital image. Digital photography is often used as a means to mirror or highlight truth in our world, but when it came to self perception, the digital imagery failed to reflect a truthful portrait. By breaking physical boundaries I was able to reconcile with a truthful self image. I found that often the way that I interact with a digital camera doesn’t reflect a faithful interpretation of myself, so by physically altering my interacting with a digital camera, I was able to reveal an authentic self portrait. My concentrations establishes a narrative about my ever changing relationship with my self presentation and the work in my concentration demonstrates a variety of versions of a physically manipulated truth throughout different mediums.
Image 1 uses oil paints to manipulate the digital image as a way to reflect a defined mask and uncertainty contained within a singular origin. The variation on the left uses sharp edges and contrasting colors to highlight the explanation and awareness of a masked self. The right image juxtaposes this mask by characterizing doubt associated with wearing the mask. The complete diptych highlights the parts of my identity I create and hide around my perceived self.
Image 13 uses collaging and painting to reflect the image created through my friendships. I previously photographed my relationships with my friends through environmental portraits, so by repurposing these images in a self portrait the piece summarizes my self growth through my external relationships.
Image 10 reflects my relationship with conventionalional confidence. The original image was the only one in the series that I digitally manipulated to cover up blemishes. I used this image to transform my physical identifiers into an exaggerated ideal and a manipulative relationship with a space I wanted to occupied.
