Image Credit - Ian Meechan
Produce a series of six photographs (these can be photomontage, staged photography,
work using found images, work including images from your own family archives, etc.)
which reference the family album in some way.
Produce a 500-word blog post outlining your working methods and the research behind
your final submission. (Whose work did you study in preparation for this exercise? Why did
you choose the techniques that you did and how effective do you think your choices have
been, for example?)
Mapping Memories: The Research and Process Behind My Final Submission
Art is a powerful storytelling tool; for this exercise, I sought to combine personal history, global connections, and visual representation to create a familiar but personal and resonant piece. My work revolves around place and memory, using a world map as the foundation and six family images to represent six distinct global locations: Scotland, Mexico, Bhutan, Australia, the USA, and Singapore.
Conceptual Development:
The idea for this piece was born from my own experiences of living and working in different countries—Scotland, China, and now Australia. Each place has significantly shaped my identity, influenced my perspective, and forged connections with people and cultures beyond my immediate surroundings. However, a key inspiration for this project came from my partner, Annie Tate, whose extensive travels around the world have enriched my appreciation for how geography and personal history combine. Her experiences and my own underscored the importance of mapping personal narratives onto physical spaces.
Research and Selection of Locations:
To bring this concept to life, I carefully selected six locations that held particular significance for myself or my family. These places became the anchors of my work, each represented by a family photograph that encapsulated a moment, an experience, or a connection to that location. In doing so, I aimed to explore themes of belonging, nostalgia, and the fluidity of identity across borders.
The research process involved delving into personal archives, revisiting old stories, and discussing their recollections of these places with family members. This step was crucial in ensuring the chosen images were aesthetically compelling and meaningful. I wanted each photograph to act as a portal, drawing viewers into a specific time and place and evoking emotions and memories.
Artistic Approach and Execution:
The world map served as a unifying visual element, symbolizing the interconnectedness of personal and geographical histories. Rather than using a conventional political map, I opted for a more abstract representation, incorporating textures and organic forms to evoke the feeling of shifting transient experiences. Family images were positioned about their respective locations, creating a dialogue between the personal and the global.
A key challenge, I experimented with blending techniques, layering, and subtle distortions that echoed how memory is often fluid, fragmented, and evolving.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, my final submission reflects my journey—both literal and metaphorical. It is a tribute to the places that have shaped me, the family connections that ground me, and the influence of Annie Tate, whose travels have expanded my vision of the world. By merging cartography with personal imagery, I aimed to create a piece that invites viewers to reflect on their connections to place, memory, and identity, encouraging them to consider the stories embedded within their journeys.
When I consider how many nationalities my family has, geographically and culturally, it reminds me of the phrase, 'Travel broadens the mind'. Learning about my extended family has done just that; I am a better person. (491 words)
Footnote: During the production of this exercise, I became very unwell, so I couldn't expand on the research I had initially hoped to record.
References:
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