Emulsion Experiments!

Inspired by artist and photographer Francesca Woodman, I began to look into the intimacy of the hand-held image and how the intimate nature of a photo book or hand-held image could support and enhance my interest in depicting themes of isolation and mental health issues. After recently purchasing a re-modelled Polaroid 600, 80's edition, I wanted to try the emulsion lift process! When addressing issues of mental health and isolation, I became very aware of the distortion of the media and thought that the process of emultion lifts would be an appropriate method to communicate this. For example, Instagram (ironically a platform based on the polaroid format) is now seen as a place to put your best self forward, to show the happy days out socialising and having fun in exchange for likes and comments. However, while 40 million photos are shared daily on this platform, there is very rarely a photo that addresses the issues of mental health and isolation. Instagram is becoming a platform of "fake" happiness. According to The Happiness Effect by Donna Freitas, students across the USA believe that Instagram can attribute to their feelings of isolation.

"Many young adults experience some kind of Isolation because of social media, but they are further alienated because they don't see a thriving public discussion about the struggles they are experiencing."

- Donna Freitas