For most of this year I have been making a photomontages centred on the representation of women in media. As it happens, the concept of the Language of Posing and my response has deepened the more I read and make.

Originally a rebellion against the expectations of societal beauty standards, the project brought an understanding that this rebellion is a response to both the male gaze and our societal gaze. It is resistance against the way I have been taught to see myself.

The photomontages I am making represent this journey. A way of breaking down the gaze of others, taking ownership of my own story and reclaiming my own sense of self. In this work, I am the creator, the subject and the viewer of my life.

At the moment I am moving slowly toward creating finished work. There are still technical challenges. Making my own photographs. Learning Lightroom and Photoshop for editing and printing. Testing papers and printing on my old home printer. Working with professional printers to print high quality images. Moving from small to large format and generally figuring out what I need to do to progress the making. And I still have so many more images to delve into.

There is still plenty to do…

PS. I highly recommend reading The Female Gaze in Art and Photography Not only does it discuss the concept of the female gaze in a clear and jargon-less manner, it is a beautifully produced book, showcasing fabulous female artists!