Locating The Personal

  • Dates
    2020 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Portrait, Social Issues, Fine Art

A series of self-portraits, this body of work aims to question the representation of the Black Female figure within the photographic canon.

How do I locate myself when not performing for others? Our society teaches us to look at ourselves through the eyes of others, often leaving us feeling like a stranger in our own body. Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze of my camera, and in extension the gaze of an unknown audience, I created a body of work which examines my relationship with myself and the spaces I occupy. In my bedroom, during the process of making photograms, I come into contact with photographic paper. As I become aware of my emotions as a bodily surface I allow myself to play. On my own terms, in moments of illumination, I expose myself.

© Melanie Issaka - Locating The Personal: Contact 1 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 149x118cm, 2021
i

Locating The Personal: Contact 1 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 149x118cm, 2021

© Melanie Issaka - Locating The Personal: Contact 2 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021
i

Locating The Personal: Contact 2 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021

© Melanie Issaka - Locating The Personal: Contact 3 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021
i

Locating The Personal: Contact 3 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021

© Melanie Issaka - Locating The Personal: Contact 4 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021
i

Locating The Personal: Contact 4 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021

© Melanie Issaka - Locating The Personal: Contact 5 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021
i

Locating The Personal: Contact 5 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021

© Melanie Issaka - Locating The Personal: Contact 6 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021
i

Locating The Personal: Contact 6 Photogram, Handmade C-type print, 180x120cm, 2021

Latest Projects

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Stay in the loop


We will send you weekly news on contemporary photography. You can change your mind at any time. We will treat your data with respect. For more information please visit our privacy policy. By ticking here, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with them. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.