Francesca Woodman was an American photographer who produced work throughout the 70s as well as 1980. Her images explore the connections between the body and its surroundings. In doing so she created several self-portraits, as well as the occasional model.
In many of Woodman’s photographs the subject’s identity is being questioned. The subject appears almost anonymously, hidden behind hair, objects within the shot, or movement. In a sense it is almost as if the models want to disappear into the background, becoming one with their surroundings, similar to the work of Melissa Moore. However in other images Woodman uses movement and a long exposure to blur the subject entire appearance, leaving a ghost-like figure behind. It is as if the subject does not want to be seen and is perhaps ashamed of their appearance. I feel this strongly relates to the work of Johnny Joo, but instead of the buildings and environment being forgotten, in Woodman’s work it is the people. It is as if they themselves have been discarded by society and feel as if they do not fit in. They are left to fade into the background, unnoticed by others.
I feel that the idea of being unwanted is reinforced by the settings of Woodman’s photographs. The surroundings seem abandoned and empty, and it is as though both environment and model have been forgotten about. The overall sense of the surroundings is that they are run down and not in use anymore. As well as the models, the settings are also anonymous and hidden away, gradually falling apart.
Woodman’s images have been taken in black and white, draining the subject matter of all colours. Again this relates to the idea of being unwanted and considered a waste to the community. The lack of colour also means that the model and background are not in composition, and the photographs can be seen as a whole image rather than one colour dominating the work. It allows the composition to be seen as intended.
Through studying Woodman’s work I have a greater idea of how to hide myself in my own images and how to engage with my surroundings. I have also been given a different perspective on the use of colour. In terms of my theme of waste, I feel black and white images can provide quite a melancholy undertone, which will emphasise the idea of people and the environment going to waste.
Georgette Taylor: The Commission: Waste 