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Artist statement
 

Vicky Martin: Not in Kansas

 

Not in Kansas is a staged series of photographs inspired by the tenacious, self-reliant character Dorothy from the story The Wizard of Oz. Having grown up watching, admiring and being inspired by this character, whose journey of self-discovery overcomes fear and loneliness to become empowered and assertive in a strange land, I chose to create narratives which blur the boundaries between fantasy and truth, offering scenarios within which the protagonist wrestles with feelings of confidence, determination and boldness but is conflicted with ideas of isolation, loneliness, detachment and fear. 

 

The series is photographed in different locations and contexts to explore, illustrate and emphasise these feelings and themes. In each image the protagonist portrays emotional uncertainty, from which the viewer is drawn to interpret the scenario depending upon their own personal perceptions. The images are composed to simulate a sense of simultaneous coalition of elements of a before or after moment, with a deliberate ambiguity which only the viewer can resolve and further contextualise. 

(Vicky Martin)

 

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Biography

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Vicky Martin (UK) is an award winning fine art photographer.

Studying art and photography in the 1990s it was not until 2008 after being awarded a prestigious bursary that she was able to pursue photography professionally. Since then Vicky has had her work published and exhibited nationally and internationally, from Europe to the USA in solo and group shows. Her work continues to garner many awards and nominations including Winner of the Professional Beauty and Fashion Category at the Chromatic Awards 2018, Winner of the All About Photo Magazine Colors issue 2018, Winner of the Single Image in the Professional Fine Art Category at the 12th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards 2018 and Winner of the Professional Fine Art Series at 2016 Fine Art Photography Awards.  

 

Throughout Vicky's practice she explores her fascination with identity and the emotions that are created by considered scenarios that are based in both fantasy and reality. Her work explores identity through staging and creating realities for characters who often display conflicting emotions with situations. Vicky seeks to encourage the viewer to ask questions of her work to which ultimately the answers depend on the viewer’s own personal identity and perceptions.

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To find out more about Vicky Martin, click here: http://www.vickymartinphoto.co.uk 

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