Shadow-Self

When a person has a persona that is hidden within themselves, it brings to question why does the subject wish to ignore its existence? Is it affecting the subject psychologically or emotionally when there is someone hovering around their space? Are they ignoring it to keep their darkest secrets hidden so that it will never resurface? Through self-portraits, the subject is going about their routine day, without paying attention to their surroundings. What makes the shadow an interesting character is how it is sitting there, observing the subject without interfering with themselves. Waiting for the subject to either make a move, or make the subject look at them instead of being distracted with everything else.

          From one perspective, the subject does not wish to acknowledge there is someone else there. From a different perspective, the shadow become a person who acts as an observer of the subject. Whatever the subject thinks are not the same as the shadow since the shadow has a mind of its own. It can either have one self or multiple selves, appear in different positions or stances or in multiple locations.

            Tying in with having a shadow-self is a truth that is not known about the subject. With their hand movements and their expression, the subject is able to make changes to their surroundings like a magician. While the subject is going on about their business, their shadow is taking note on what the subject is doing with their surroundings. This leads to the shadow acting as an observer to the subject, even though the subject is unaware that they are being watched.

            Based on all of the work that is shown, the images explore what it is like to have a shadow observe the subject without interfering with the subject’s daily routine. There is an undiscovered truth about the subject that only the shadow knows. Is the subject aware of their hidden art, or do they pretend to not care what is going on around them?