‘Distorted Reality & Fragmented Memories’ reflects my exploration of anxiety and insecurity through photography. The idea for this project emerged during the 2020-2021 pandemic lockdown, a time when life became repetitive and feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and anxiety intensified. Between 2021 and 2024, while pursuing my MFA, I conceptualised my ideas, expanding the project’s scope and deepening its focus.
As one day blurred into the next in seemingly endless repetition, I became more aware of my anxious emotional state, leading me to use photography as a subtle outlet for expressing both conscious emotions and deeper, hidden insecurities. Such conditions of anxiety are universal and not connected to a single period, making the emotions explored in this work timeless.
This project has allowed me to explore my feelings through the faces of others. The portraits feature individuals, as well as self-portraits, that are often obscured by objects; these objects serve as metaphors for the barriers we build to conceal anxiety and insecurity. The tension between visibility and concealment mirrors the way we often hide our internal struggles from the outside world. Each photograph represents the anxiety that transcends gender and barriers, reflecting the broader impact of these emotions.
‘Distorted Reality & Fragmented Memories’ is not just a visual narrative of anxiety but also a call for introspection and dialogue amongst us all. It is an invitation to explore emotions and find resilience amidst uncertainty, aiming to spark meaningful conversations about mental health and the complexities of human emotion.
