we all have the ability to transform ourselves in one way or another but
ourselves in one way or another but
ourselves in one way or another but first you have to be willing to venture
first you have to be willing to venture
first you have to be willing to venture into the unfamiliar and to get there it
into the unfamiliar and to get there it
into the unfamiliar and to get there it usually requires having to step past
usually requires having to step past
usually requires having to step past certain boundaries boundaries that you
certain boundaries boundaries that you
certain boundaries boundaries that you think exists I’m not gonna tell you
think exists I’m not gonna tell you
think exists I’m not gonna tell you about the work that I do as a
about the work that I do as a
about the work that I do as a photographer necessarily but I want to
photographer necessarily but I want to
photographer necessarily but I want to speak a little bit about my personal
speak a little bit about my personal
speak a little bit about my personal journey my process and some of these
journey my process and some of these
journey my process and some of these things I’ve uncovered as a result of
things I’ve uncovered as a result of
things I’ve uncovered as a result of this when I was 14 I lost something that
this when I was 14 I lost something that
this when I was 14 I lost something that at the time I didn’t realize would
at the time I didn’t realize would
at the time I didn’t realize would impact in my life from my identity and
impact in my life from my identity and
impact in my life from my identity and such a tremendous way I started to lose
such a tremendous way I started to lose
such a tremendous way I started to lose my hair to a condition called alopecia
my hair to a condition called alopecia
my hair to a condition called alopecia and for those of you that might not be
and for those of you that might not be
and for those of you that might not be familiar it’s an autoimmune disease
familiar it’s an autoimmune disease
familiar it’s an autoimmune disease where your body basically thinks that
where your body basically thinks that
where your body basically thinks that your hair is an enemy and it’s at accent
your hair is an enemy and it’s at accent
your hair is an enemy and it’s at accent so it doesn’t grow or you could imagine
so it doesn’t grow or you could imagine
so it doesn’t grow or you could imagine how traumatic that was at that age to
how traumatic that was at that age to
how traumatic that was at that age to lose something so familiar and so
lose something so familiar and so
lose something so familiar and so definitive of this idea of femininity
definitive of this idea of femininity
definitive of this idea of femininity and of course you know what is expected
and of course you know what is expected
and of course you know what is expected of a young normal healthy girl at that
of a young normal healthy girl at that
of a young normal healthy girl at that age ironically the most harmful thing
age ironically the most harmful thing
age ironically the most harmful thing about the condition wasn’t from the
about the condition wasn’t from the
about the condition wasn’t from the actual condition itself but for my
actual condition itself but for my
actual condition itself but for my encounters with other people I was
encounters with other people I was
encounters with other people I was heckled throughout my adolescence and
heckled throughout my adolescence and
heckled throughout my adolescence and pretty much rights into adulthood and I
pretty much rights into adulthood and I
pretty much rights into adulthood and I was made to feel ashamed for being
was made to feel ashamed for being
was made to feel ashamed for being visibly different from other girls this
visibly different from other girls this
visibly different from other girls this forcibly pushed me outside of that
forcibly pushed me outside of that
forcibly pushed me outside of that boundary of what was considered normal
boundary of what was considered normal
boundary of what was considered normal for something I had absolutely no
for something I had absolutely no
for something I had absolutely no control over
of course my life wasn’t all bad I was
of course my life wasn’t all bad I was lucky to grow up in st. Vincent’s I live
lucky to grow up in st. Vincent’s I live
lucky to grow up in st. Vincent’s I live in Eddie Beach I had a great group of
in Eddie Beach I had a great group of
in Eddie Beach I had a great group of friends and my parents had all both
friends and my parents had all both
friends and my parents had all both recognized a certain I guess creative
recognized a certain I guess creative
recognized a certain I guess creative impulses in me from a young age and my
impulses in me from a young age and my
impulses in me from a young age and my dad did his best to nurture this out of
dad did his best to nurture this out of
dad did his best to nurture this out of me and it was through that nurturing
me and it was through that nurturing
me and it was through that nurturing that I had
that I had
that I had gradually found men we’re working in
gradually found men we’re working in
gradually found men we’re working in photography I taught myself how to use a
photography I taught myself how to use a
photography I taught myself how to use a camera and I just expose myself to as
camera and I just expose myself to as
camera and I just expose myself to as many things as possible and I was able
many things as possible and I was able
many things as possible and I was able to figure out how to redirect all of
to figure out how to redirect all of
to figure out how to redirect all of that frustration I was feeling at the
that frustration I was feeling at the
that frustration I was feeling at the time and expressed myself in ways that I
time and expressed myself in ways that I
time and expressed myself in ways that I couldn’t articulate with words and that
couldn’t articulate with words and that
couldn’t articulate with words and that boundary that I felt originally closing
boundary that I felt originally closing
boundary that I felt originally closing in was beginning to expand again because
in was beginning to expand again because
in was beginning to expand again because I had basically figured out how to use
I had basically figured out how to use
I had basically figured out how to use my imagination to escape I became really
my imagination to escape I became really
my imagination to escape I became really interested and trying to document my
interested and trying to document my
interested and trying to document my everyday experiences at the time a lot
everyday experiences at the time a lot
everyday experiences at the time a lot of the imagery I was being exposed to
of the imagery I was being exposed to
of the imagery I was being exposed to they were much more commercial you know
they were much more commercial you know
they were much more commercial you know they were very tor eccentric and they
they were very tor eccentric and they
they were very tor eccentric and they didn’t feel like an authentic
didn’t feel like an authentic
didn’t feel like an authentic representation of the Caribbean island
representation of the Caribbean island
representation of the Caribbean island that I grew up on and the reality that I
that I grew up on and the reality that I
that I grew up on and the reality that I was actually living at that time and I
was actually living at that time and I
was actually living at that time and I sort of made it my agenda to make images
sort of made it my agenda to make images
sort of made it my agenda to make images that count to that somehow and my work
that count to that somehow and my work
that count to that somehow and my work ended up taking on a very cinematic tone
ended up taking on a very cinematic tone
ended up taking on a very cinematic tone to create this feeling of imminence as
to create this feeling of imminence as
to create this feeling of imminence as though something was always in the edge
though something was always in the edge
though something was always in the edge of happening and out to that emerge a
of happening and out to that emerge a
of happening and out to that emerge a type of aesthetic or you could say was a
type of aesthetic or you could say was a
type of aesthetic or you could say was a little bit dark but I wanted to figure
little bit dark but I wanted to figure
little bit dark but I wanted to figure out some how to translate those emotions
out some how to translate those emotions
out some how to translate those emotions into the work to create this tense
into the work to create this tense
into the work to create this tense feeling and even with that I tried to
feeling and even with that I tried to
feeling and even with that I tried to put something familiar in its something
put something familiar in its something
put something familiar in its something that could connect people I think when
that could connect people I think when
that could connect people I think when we see something familiar of ourselves
we see something familiar of ourselves
we see something familiar of ourselves in the image it becomes much easier for
in the image it becomes much easier for
in the image it becomes much easier for us to connect to that thing and then
us to connect to that thing and then
us to connect to that thing and then that really does open up a lot of
that really does open up a lot of
that really does open up a lot of possibilities this is an image I did in
possibilities this is an image I did in
possibilities this is an image I did in 2004 called the garden and it’s a
2004 called the garden and it’s a
2004 called the garden and it’s a photograph of my grandmother my great
photograph of my grandmother my great
photograph of my grandmother my great aunt sharing a bed together it was a
aunt sharing a bed together it was a
aunt sharing a bed together it was a very familiar sensibility in this I
very familiar sensibility in this I
very familiar sensibility in this I think’s a lot of Caribbean people you
think’s a lot of Caribbean people you
think’s a lot of Caribbean people you know very stereotypical floral bedsheets
know very stereotypical floral bedsheets
know very stereotypical floral bedsheets type of body language that exists
type of body language that exists
type of body language that exists between the women but this thing that
between the women but this thing that
between the women but this thing that resonates to me about this image is that
resonates to me about this image is that
resonates to me about this image is that there’s an unspoken boundary between
there’s an unspoken boundary between
there’s an unspoken boundary between them they’re facing away from each other
them they’re facing away from each other
them they’re facing away from each other and a lot of my earlier work tries to
and a lot of my earlier work tries to
and a lot of my earlier work tries to investigate this kind of tension whether
investigate this kind of tension whether
investigate this kind of tension whether it’s between subjects or between myself
it’s between subjects or between myself
it’s between subjects or between myself and her subjects I think there’s value
and her subjects I think there’s value
and her subjects I think there’s value in going into these uncomfortable places
in going into these uncomfortable places
in going into these uncomfortable places and at the time I understood that even
and at the time I understood that even
and at the time I understood that even if it was within my own home
if it was within my own home
if it was within my own home I had to step past certain boundaries to
I had to step past certain boundaries to
I had to step past certain boundaries to get there because it was helping me to
get there because it was helping me to
get there because it was helping me to redefine a lot of the attitudes I had
redefine a lot of the attitudes I had
redefine a lot of the attitudes I had towards myself and towards my
towards myself and towards my
towards myself and towards my environment at the time boundaries exist
environment at the time boundaries exist
environment at the time boundaries exist everywhere whether it’s in our personal
everywhere whether it’s in our personal
everywhere whether it’s in our personal lives the types of relationships we have
lives the types of relationships we have
lives the types of relationships we have with each other and even in a more
with each other and even in a more
with each other and even in a more abstract sense even in photographs when
abstract sense even in photographs when
abstract sense even in photographs when I was learning to compose an image for
I was learning to compose an image for
I was learning to compose an image for the first time one of the things that
the first time one of the things that
the first time one of the things that pretty much occurred to me was that
pretty much occurred to me was that
pretty much occurred to me was that photography is not just about what you
photography is not just about what you
photography is not just about what you put within an image but also what you
put within an image but also what you
put within an image but also what you choose to leave out to that frame and
choose to leave out to that frame and
choose to leave out to that frame and when I understood that it really created
when I understood that it really created
when I understood that it really created a solid foundation how I approached a
a solid foundation how I approached a
a solid foundation how I approached a lot of my images to dates
lot of my images to dates
lot of my images to dates and how people can interpret things so
and how people can interpret things so
and how people can interpret things so when you think about it even within a
when you think about it even within a
when you think about it even within a photograph there there’s a boundary that
photograph there there’s a boundary that
photograph there there’s a boundary that frame of an image is the boundary and
frame of an image is the boundary and
frame of an image is the boundary and what we should be considering when we
what we should be considering when we
what we should be considering when we look at a photograph is not just what we
look at a photograph is not just what we
look at a photograph is not just what we see within that frame but everything
see within that frame but everything
see within that frame but everything that isn’t there so when you think about
that isn’t there so when you think about
that isn’t there so when you think about it it’s very similar to living on an
it it’s very similar to living on an
it it’s very similar to living on an island we are aware of only so much but
island we are aware of only so much but
island we are aware of only so much but when you step to that boundaries edge
when you step to that boundaries edge
when you step to that boundaries edge that’s shoreline and you can look out
that’s shoreline and you can look out
that’s shoreline and you can look out towards the horizon even though you
towards the horizon even though you
towards the horizon even though you might not necessarily be aware of
might not necessarily be aware of
might not necessarily be aware of everything beyond the certain points
everything beyond the certain points
everything beyond the certain points there is that feeling of hopefulness of
there is that feeling of hopefulness of
there is that feeling of hopefulness of possibility of room for your imagination
possibility of room for your imagination
possibility of room for your imagination to wonder and I think it’s the same
to wonder and I think it’s the same
to wonder and I think it’s the same thing with images there should be room
thing with images there should be room
thing with images there should be room beyond that frame for your imagination
beyond that frame for your imagination
beyond that frame for your imagination to go somewhere there’s a court that I
to go somewhere there’s a court that I
to go somewhere there’s a court that I really liked by Christopher cozier a
really liked by Christopher cozier a
really liked by Christopher cozier a Trinidadian artist and he said an island
Trinidadian artist and he said an island
Trinidadian artist and he said an island is a place from which people look out
is a place from which people look out
is a place from which people look out and I know it seems like a really
and I know it seems like a really
and I know it seems like a really simplistic statement to make but this
simplistic statement to make but this
simplistic statement to make but this thing that resonates to me about it is
thing that resonates to me about it is
thing that resonates to me about it is that it does speak to this notion of a
that it does speak to this notion of a
that it does speak to this notion of a boundary or a point in which you feel as
boundary or a point in which you feel as
boundary or a point in which you feel as though you can’t go any further but it’s
though you can’t go any further but it’s
though you can’t go any further but it’s really that awareness of the shoreline
really that awareness of the shoreline
really that awareness of the shoreline that provokes this idea of our
that provokes this idea of our
that provokes this idea of our limitations who can we become beyond
limitations who can we become beyond
limitations who can we become beyond that boundary of the shoreline recently
that boundary of the shoreline recently
that boundary of the shoreline recently my work has actually taken me into the
my work has actually taken me into the
my work has actually taken me into the sea so beyond that boundary
sea so beyond that boundary
sea so beyond that boundary I’d like to think of what I’m doing as
I’d like to think of what I’m doing as
I’d like to think of what I’m doing as looking back at an island but from a
looking back at an island but from a
looking back at an island but from a different vantage points trying to gain
different vantage points trying to gain
different vantage points trying to gain a deeper understanding of myself of
a deeper understanding of myself of
a deeper understanding of myself of ourselves and I think I’m still very
ourselves and I think I’m still very
ourselves and I think I’m still very much trying to search for that familiar
much trying to search for that familiar
much trying to search for that familiar thing that universal thing that connects
thing that universal thing that connects
thing that universal thing that connects all of us but I’m doing it in even more
all of us but I’m doing it in even more
all of us but I’m doing it in even more unfamiliar space
unfamiliar space
unfamiliar space I started this series in 2015 called
I started this series in 2015 called
I started this series in 2015 called circa no future and it really became a
circa no future and it really became a
circa no future and it really became a turning point in the imagery I was doing
turning point in the imagery I was doing
turning point in the imagery I was doing because prior to that especially with my
because prior to that especially with my
because prior to that especially with my underwater work I was just experimenting
underwater work I was just experimenting
underwater work I was just experimenting and observing and you know with all
and observing and you know with all
and observing and you know with all sorts of random things but it was really
sorts of random things but it was really
sorts of random things but it was really first time I introduced that human
first time I introduced that human
first time I introduced that human elements into the work and one
elements into the work and one
elements into the work and one specifically observing people passed
specifically observing people passed
specifically observing people passed that boundary of that shoreline and how
that boundary of that shoreline and how
that boundary of that shoreline and how they they fell into more comfortable
they they fell into more comfortable
they they fell into more comfortable ways of being themselves more vulnerable
ways of being themselves more vulnerable
ways of being themselves more vulnerable winds now this work looks at a very
winds now this work looks at a very
winds now this work looks at a very typical or very familiar scene I think a
typical or very familiar scene I think a
typical or very familiar scene I think a lot of us are customed to seeing at the
lot of us are customed to seeing at the
lot of us are customed to seeing at the beach with these young black adolescent
beach with these young black adolescent
beach with these young black adolescent boys jumping off of boats or rocks or
boys jumping off of boats or rocks or
boys jumping off of boats or rocks or jetties but it’s focused on a very
jetties but it’s focused on a very
jetties but it’s focused on a very specific moment that happens I think
specific moment that happens I think
specific moment that happens I think we’re all accustomed to see in that
we’re all accustomed to see in that
we’re all accustomed to see in that moment above water where they’re very
moment above water where they’re very
moment above water where they’re very hyper masculine and there’s a
hyper masculine and there’s a
hyper masculine and there’s a performance so they’re showing off but
performance so they’re showing off but
performance so they’re showing off but there’s a point where they break through
there’s a point where they break through
there’s a point where they break through that surface and this seemed to be
that surface and this seemed to be
that surface and this seemed to be suspended in this states of
suspended in this states of
suspended in this states of vulnerability that vulnerability really
vulnerability that vulnerability really
vulnerability that vulnerability really interests me because it’s a group of
interests me because it’s a group of
interests me because it’s a group of familiar guys acting in this very
familiar guys acting in this very
familiar guys acting in this very unfamiliar way you could see that on
unfamiliar way you could see that on
unfamiliar way you could see that on this surface I have nothing in common
this surface I have nothing in common
this surface I have nothing in common with these boys in a very superficial
with these boys in a very superficial
with these boys in a very superficial way but losing my hair actually gave me
way but losing my hair actually gave me
way but losing my hair actually gave me the strange access to these moments
the strange access to these moments
the strange access to these moments because from a distance these boys would
because from a distance these boys would
because from a distance these boys would assume that I was a boy as well swimming
assume that I was a boy as well swimming
assume that I was a boy as well swimming up to them because they were only seen
up to them because they were only seen
up to them because they were only seen the top of my head in the water and what
the top of my head in the water and what
the top of my head in the water and what that actually gave me was like a very
that actually gave me was like a very
that actually gave me was like a very temporary glimpse into a whole other
temporary glimpse into a whole other
temporary glimpse into a whole other world I noticed a type of sensitivity
world I noticed a type of sensitivity
world I noticed a type of sensitivity and camaraderie that they were
and camaraderie that they were
and camaraderie that they were expressing amongst each other and it’s
expressing amongst each other and it’s
expressing amongst each other and it’s something you don’t get to see typically
something you don’t get to see typically
something you don’t get to see typically as a woman especially on land because
as a woman especially on land because
as a woman especially on land because you know teenage boys can always be so
you know teenage boys can always be so
you know teenage boys can always be so guarded of course that moment that they
guarded of course that moment that they
guarded of course that moment that they realize I was a
realize I was a
realize I was a the dynamic completely change and you
the dynamic completely change and you
the dynamic completely change and you know they felt betrayed and then they
know they felt betrayed and then they
know they felt betrayed and then they went into performance again but my
went into performance again but my
went into performance again but my objective was always to try and capture
objective was always to try and capture
objective was always to try and capture that moments of vulnerability and one of
that moments of vulnerability and one of
that moments of vulnerability and one of the great things about photography is
the great things about photography is
the great things about photography is that you are able to sort of freeze
that you are able to sort of freeze
that you are able to sort of freeze these moments you’re able to slow down a
these moments you’re able to slow down a
these moments you’re able to slow down a sequence and make these invisible
sequence and make these invisible
sequence and make these invisible moments visible so I started documenting
moments visible so I started documenting
moments visible so I started documenting them above the water and going right
them above the water and going right
them above the water and going right through right through the surface and
through right through the surface and
through right through the surface and sort of stumbled across this moment and
sort of stumbled across this moment and
sort of stumbled across this moment and you know I spent some time trying to
you know I spent some time trying to
you know I spent some time trying to capture it and what occurred to me was
capture it and what occurred to me was
capture it and what occurred to me was that their boundary was actually that
that their boundary was actually that
that their boundary was actually that surface of the water and everything
surface of the water and everything
surface of the water and everything above everything back and land those
above everything back and land those
above everything back and land those constructs that they were battling with
constructs that they were battling with
constructs that they were battling with before it did not exist in that space
before it did not exist in that space
before it did not exist in that space and I think there’s something there to
and I think there’s something there to
and I think there’s something there to take note to self I think it’s really
take note to self I think it’s really
take note to self I think it’s really fascinating that we are surrounded by
fascinating that we are surrounded by
fascinating that we are surrounded by all of this water yet due to the
all of this water yet due to the
all of this water yet due to the physical limitations about humanists of
physical limitations about humanists of
physical limitations about humanists of our bodies we can’t really completely
our bodies we can’t really completely
our bodies we can’t really completely occupy that space but there is a sort of
occupy that space but there is a sort of
occupy that space but there is a sort of temporary ideal of who we can become in
temporary ideal of who we can become in
temporary ideal of who we can become in the sea even if it’s for brief moments
the sea even if it’s for brief moments
the sea even if it’s for brief moments so if we don’t belong there and we
so if we don’t belong there and we
so if we don’t belong there and we belong here
belong here
belong here how can we take that temporary
how can we take that temporary
how can we take that temporary experience and apply it our societies
experience and apply it our societies
experience and apply it our societies and land to make ourselves more
and land to make ourselves more
and land to make ourselves more emotionally vulnerable more
emotionally vulnerable more
emotionally vulnerable more understanding tolerant compassionate
understanding tolerant compassionate
understanding tolerant compassionate coming out of that experience with these
coming out of that experience with these
coming out of that experience with these boys one of the big questions that
boys one of the big questions that
boys one of the big questions that really starts to ask myself was is it
really starts to ask myself was is it
really starts to ask myself was is it possible for us to view ourselves void
possible for us to view ourselves void
possible for us to view ourselves void of these social constructs that create
of these social constructs that create
of these social constructs that create these boundaries between us and within
these boundaries between us and within
these boundaries between us and within us is there a way for us to dissolve
us is there a way for us to dissolve
us is there a way for us to dissolve this construct of gender class race
this construct of gender class race
this construct of gender class race sexuality country of origin whatever and
sexuality country of origin whatever and
sexuality country of origin whatever and what occurred to me was that people were
what occurred to me was that people were
what occurred to me was that people were the ones that created these boundaries
the ones that created these boundaries
the ones that created these boundaries this sea has no agenda rich or poor it
this sea has no agenda rich or poor it
this sea has no agenda rich or poor it will swallow you
will swallow you
will swallow you so in a sense when you think about it
so in a sense when you think about it
so in a sense when you think about it the ocean really is the one true
the ocean really is the one true
the ocean really is the one true Democratic space that exists and as
Democratic space that exists and as
Democratic space that exists and as Caribbean islands we are surrounded by
Caribbean islands we are surrounded by
Caribbean islands we are surrounded by it so it really is one of our greatest
it so it really is one of our greatest
it so it really is one of our greatest resources not just from the obvious
resources not just from the obvious
resources not just from the obvious sustainable points of view but the sort
sustainable points of view but the sort
sustainable points of view but the sort of social implications of what it could
of social implications of what it could
of social implications of what it could mean for us this image is called is at a
mean for us this image is called is at a
mean for us this image is called is at a boy and it’s somewhat of a humorous
boy and it’s somewhat of a humorous
boy and it’s somewhat of a humorous title and it is a bit of clear words but
title and it is a bit of clear words but
title and it is a bit of clear words but there’s a serious underlying discussion
there’s a serious underlying discussion
there’s a serious underlying discussion that it addresses it references the idea
that it addresses it references the idea
that it addresses it references the idea of gender and sexuality and the type of
of gender and sexuality and the type of
of gender and sexuality and the type of assumptions people can make based on
assumptions people can make based on
assumptions people can make based on physical attributes now obviously this
physical attributes now obviously this
physical attributes now obviously this is something very closely related to my
is something very closely related to my
is something very closely related to my own experiences growing up with alopecia
own experiences growing up with alopecia
own experiences growing up with alopecia and more specifically this image really
and more specifically this image really
and more specifically this image really came out you know it was inspired by
came out you know it was inspired by
came out you know it was inspired by these boys and that initial interaction
these boys and that initial interaction
these boys and that initial interaction I had with them it shows an image of my
I had with them it shows an image of my
I had with them it shows an image of my head on the left and a buoy or a boy on
head on the left and a buoy or a boy on
head on the left and a buoy or a boy on the right and it’s meant to make you
the right and it’s meant to make you
the right and it’s meant to make you look twice and question the validity of
look twice and question the validity of
look twice and question the validity of your own perceptions what you think you
your own perceptions what you think you
your own perceptions what you think you see versus the actual reality of a
see versus the actual reality of a
see versus the actual reality of a situation so just like you might go to
situation so just like you might go to
situation so just like you might go to the beach and see a buoy floating in the
the beach and see a buoy floating in the
the beach and see a buoy floating in the water and you could mistake it for a
water and you could mistake it for a
water and you could mistake it for a person swimming there’s a way that we
person swimming there’s a way that we
person swimming there’s a way that we can also objectify people based on a
can also objectify people based on a
can also objectify people based on a lack of adequate information or
lack of adequate information or
lack of adequate information or understanding one of the great things
understanding one of the great things
understanding one of the great things about working with this sea is that it
about working with this sea is that it
about working with this sea is that it does have this way that it can run their
does have this way that it can run their
does have this way that it can run their body so seem very ambiguous it does
body so seem very ambiguous it does
body so seem very ambiguous it does dissolve that construct of gender I
dissolve that construct of gender I
dissolve that construct of gender I actually showed this piece earlier this
actually showed this piece earlier this
actually showed this piece earlier this year the Jamaican biennial the National
year the Jamaican biennial the National
year the Jamaican biennial the National Gallery and a critic did a review on all
Gallery and a critic did a review on all
Gallery and a critic did a review on all their work and he spoke a little bit
their work and he spoke a little bit
their work and he spoke a little bit about this piece and he kept on
about this piece and he kept on
about this piece and he kept on referring to the person the image as a
referring to the person the image as a
referring to the person the image as a man and that’s him he was just a
man and that’s him he was just a
man and that’s him he was just a testament of how successful the work
testament of how successful the work
testament of how successful the work actually was is it a man or a woman in
actually was is it a man or a woman in
actually was is it a man or a woman in the water
the water
the water does it matter the boundary in this
does it matter the boundary in this
does it matter the boundary in this image actually lies between you the
image actually lies between you the
image actually lies between you the viewer and the image it’s within your
viewer and the image it’s within your
viewer and the image it’s within your own perceptions and what you’re willing
own perceptions and what you’re willing
own perceptions and what you’re willing to accept is acceptable I took a simple
to accept is acceptable I took a simple
to accept is acceptable I took a simple routine of just swimming daily and I use
routine of just swimming daily and I use
routine of just swimming daily and I use photography to
photography to
photography to as a witness to different experiences I
as a witness to different experiences I
as a witness to different experiences I was having in the sea and I hope that
was having in the sea and I hope that
was having in the sea and I hope that people are somehow able to find
people are somehow able to find
people are somehow able to find something familiar of themselves in my
something familiar of themselves in my
something familiar of themselves in my work and connect to that and maybe it
work and connect to that and maybe it
work and connect to that and maybe it will instill some sort of desire to step
will instill some sort of desire to step
will instill some sort of desire to step past your own boundaries my photography
past your own boundaries my photography
past your own boundaries my photography has always been an exploration of my own
has always been an exploration of my own
has always been an exploration of my own humanity and it’s very personal and very
humanity and it’s very personal and very
humanity and it’s very personal and very visceral response to the world that I
visceral response to the world that I
visceral response to the world that I live in I’m not a scientist and I don’t
live in I’m not a scientist and I don’t
live in I’m not a scientist and I don’t try to make any assertions as a
try to make any assertions as a
try to make any assertions as a scientist but what I have uncovered from
scientist but what I have uncovered from
scientist but what I have uncovered from these Watts
these Watts
these Watts explorations is that we all have the
explorations is that we all have the
explorations is that we all have the ability in one way or another to
ability in one way or another to
ability in one way or another to transform our thinking and the types of
transform our thinking and the types of
transform our thinking and the types of relationships we could have with each
relationships we could have with each
relationships we could have with each other and it doesn’t matter if you’re
other and it doesn’t matter if you’re
other and it doesn’t matter if you’re the photographer this subject to the
the photographer this subject to the
the photographer this subject to the viewer
viewer
viewer so ask yourself where are your
so ask yourself where are your
so ask yourself where are your boundaries and if you could step past
boundaries and if you could step past
boundaries and if you could step past those boundaries or jump past them or
those boundaries or jump past them or
those boundaries or jump past them or swim past them or whatever and it could
swim past them or whatever and it could
swim past them or whatever and it could look back at yourself what would you see
look back at yourself what would you see
look back at yourself what would you see who do you think you could become are
who do you think you could become are
who do you think you could become are you willing to venture into that
you willing to venture into that
you willing to venture into that unfamiliar territory and move past those
unfamiliar territory and move past those
unfamiliar territory and move past those boundaries that you think exist whether
boundaries that you think exist whether
boundaries that you think exist whether they’ve been forced on you or their
they’ve been forced on you or their
they’ve been forced on you or their constructive your own minor environment
constructive your own minor environment
constructive your own minor environment I think there’s somebody inside of all
I think there’s somebody inside of all
I think there’s somebody inside of all of us who’s willing to take that jump
of us who’s willing to take that jump
of us who’s willing to take that jump and this is actually what it looks like
and this is actually what it looks like
and this is actually what it looks like on the other side thank you
on the other side thank you
on the other side thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment