Vision Statement:
This work explores the blurred boundaries between inner identity and external perception through abstraction. Using distortion, symbolic placement, and interaction between subject and environment, the images reflect moments of introspection, emotional fragmentation, and transformation. By drawing on previous units such as Identity and Abstraction, I aim to reveal how we both shape and are shaped by the spaces we inhabit—physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Artist Study: Francesca Woodman
Francesca Woodman was an American photographer known for her black-and-white self-portraits that explore identity, the body, and abstraction. Her images often feature blurred motion, reflections, and partial visibility, creating a haunting and surreal mood.
Woodman’s work inspired me to use distortion and positioning to express emotional states and a fragmented sense of self. Like her, I used the body as a tool for storytelling—blending it with background elements to question where the subject ends and the environment begins.
From Woodman, I learned that less clarity can lead to more emotional impact, and that photography can reflect the complexities of identity through subtle visual choices.
Woodman Family Foundation. “Works – Francesca Woodman – Woodman Foundation.” Woodmanfoundation.org, woodmanfoundation.org/francesca/works.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Statement of Intent:
For my final project, I combined techniques from the Identity and Abstraction units to create a visual narrative about self-perception and emotional duality. In the first image, a person presses against a distorted, expressive painting, merging their real-world presence with the painted emotion. This represents an internal confrontation—an attempt to connect with or escape from a version of oneself that is chaotic and raw.
The second image shows a figure facing outward through a doorway, silhouetted and anonymous. The overexposed outdoor light obscures the scene beyond, symbolizing uncertainty and the search for clarity. The subject’s posture, caught between shadow and light, represents the threshold between known and unknown aspects of identity.
Through abstraction of space and emotional tone, both images reflect how identity is often constructed from fragments—sometimes distorted, sometimes invisible—and shaped by both internal reflection and external realities.
Final Evaluation and Reflection
This project allowed me to explore themes of identity and abstraction by using symbolism, body language, and lighting to express emotion and inner conflict. The first image, where the subject interacts with a distorted painting, captures a sense of emotional chaos. The second image, with a silhouetted figure looking outward, suggests transition and self-reflection.
I found the use of contrast and composition especially effective in conveying mood. If I had more time, I would experiment further with layering and editing to push the abstraction. Overall, this project helped me develop a deeper understanding of how photography can express internal experiences, not just external realities.
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