Motherland (2025)

Digital collage inspired by a 1860's photograph

I just love old photo portraits taken from the side. I don't know what it is about them - maybe they feel unreachable somehow? And that's why I find them interesting?

This one is a real find, as it is no less than 160 years old! And so lifelike, the model looks like she may just stand up, bow and walk out into the garden, when she's had enough of us.

To accompany this portrait, I found a delicate, ancient Japanese drawing with a similar pose. And a photo bank image of a crane, which I edited for colour, and made into waves. Waves of homesickness maybe?

Original photograph (image 3): Japanese Tea Scene by Charles Parker ca 1864. Getty Museum Collection.