Communication Design School of Design
Robbie Montgomery
During my time studying at the Glasgow School of Art I have endeavoured to explore universal themes of grief and identity and considered how fantasy can act as a form of catharsis.
I primarily work in a creative space that is concept-driven and narrative focused that is inspired by personal lived experience. My practice is grounded in the lengths we will go to when we are trying to navigate grief. By using analog photography, through constructed image-making and self portraiture, I have photographed many different versions myself, a past self, a future self, a different self, a version of myself that I haven’t yet met. But, a self that somehow feels familiar.
By taking on these personas in my most recent body of work, I have been able to walk between worlds, using my camera as a portal to embrace the metaphysical and metaphorical spaces in which these fantasy versions of myself exist.
Remember Me To Them
Whilst this is an intensely personal project, I have endeavoured to explore universal themes of grief and identity and considered how fantasy can act as a form of catharsis.
Through constructed image-making and self-portraiture, I photographed myself; a past self, a future self, a different self, a version of myself that I haven’t yet met. But, a self that somehow feels familiar. By taking on these personas I have been able to walk between worlds, using my camera as a portal to embrace the metaphysical and metaphorical spaces in which these fantasy versions of myself exist.
In this three part project, it was my intention to try and capture what grief may look like, or feel like, through my own lived experience. Sometimes losing someone, or yourself, no matter the circumstances, is hard to navigate. The all encompassing feeling of being blinded by loss is an important part of this body of work and is a significant motif present throughout the project.
Remember Me To Them: Places I’d Rather Be…
As a sister project to Remember Me To Them, this limited edition series of nine flip books explore the complex places we travel to while navigating grief. In short bursts of movement, these tactile objects offer glimpses into the fantasy realms my personas live and breathe in during times of hardship. Through moments of discomfort, intimacy and contentment; they present short daydream-like moments trapped in action.
Grounded in smaller gestures, the flip books invite the viewer to immerse themselves in the fantasy, even if only for a brief moment. It was important that these objects, that so neatly safe house some of my most vulnerable moments during this project, are given weight by their physicality.
Walking With
Walking With is a polaroid series taken during organised walks with friends, family and loved ones. The intention for this body of work was to treasure the smaller moments we share together.
In an effort to get back outside, and to spend more time with my nearest and dearest, last year I decided to start inviting friends and family on walks, of their choosing, where I would record our time spent together through polaroid photography and short audio files.
During each walk I would take a minimum of four polaroids and record snippets of our conversations on my phone. On the many beautiful and wonderful walks experienced there was joy, love, laughter and nostalgia. On others, we shared moments of regret, worries and sometimes pain.
The polaroids allowed me to hold onto these tender moments without interrupting the conversations being had, or the feelings being felt. This time shared together is precious, especially now, more so than ever, when not so long ago we were barely allowed to be in each others company.
This project is dedicated to my mum and dad, who made it all possible. And for my wee gran, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
