For my Design, History and Theory essay I explored photographic self-portraits across two main themes of ‘performance’ and ‘unfiltered documentation’. Throughout my research, I was moved by the power of self portraits and how they could be used to gain a better understanding of who somebody truly is. A self portrait is a way for photographers to choose how to portray themselves, it is usually completely in their control, which allows them to curate the way they would like to be perceived.

This project used all the research from my essay to create a publication acting as my own self-portrait. It consists of an archive of old letters written as a child, alongside photographs of me at that age. Interweaved amongst these are current self-portraits that slowly reveal more parts of my face as the book goes on.

Excerpt from the essay:

Whether a self-portait is performed or seemingly unfiltered, it can never be completely neutral. Whilst unfiltered documentation can feel honest, ultimately it is still a curated moment, just as performance can be a way for showing parts of the self that aren’t visible in everyday life. Understanding this, has shifted the way I think about self-portraiture within my own practice, it is no longer about representing a single self but more towards defining identity as something constantly evolving.

Identity is not fixed, there isn’t a single, consistent, authentic version of the self. Instead, the self is constantly evolving, shifting with time and self-portraiture provides a space where this can be visually explored.