"Subconscious Divinity"
Material: 9x A3 Mounted High Gloss Photographs

Rationale:
The title of my artwork 'Subconscious Divinity' encapsulates the detachment from reality and the blissful inner state of mind that one goes to in order to escape the harsh realities of life. My photographic work not only reflects my desire to evade the internal struggles of life but also the emotional strain that everyone experiences as a collective, especially now during the current global pandemic. This subject area infatuated me as the symbolism of a deeper connection with nature and it's natural healing properties are significantly tied to the mental health of an individual. Being surrounded by nature and simply breathing in the surrounding air, in turn gives us a wholesome sensory experience of awareness. When outdoors we are drawn to the details of what we hear, see, smell and feel. Our senses are heightened, distracting our minds from the concerns and distress that we might have been experiencing. The ocean is one of these distracting elements that can heal a person's fractured mental state and I utilised this extravagantly throughout my series. As it is personally my sublime place of being that banishes my irrational thoughts, I wanted to capture this through the waves crashing softly in the background and salty air. The ocean is a humbling force which humans can make a deep spiritual connection to in ways that are beyond words. Although waves can be dangerous and forceful they can also bring comfort and serenity to the individual. The dramatic clouds and overcast skies highlight this by creating a dreamscape within the photographs, triggering a sense of imagination within the responders. I also attempted to capture the state between sleep and consciousness, commonly known as lucid dreaming. A phenomenon that interests me, as there are not many studies that can scientifically justify what is happening during this substate of consciousness. I attempted to recreate a similar surrealistic setting to the eye of the responder. Each viewer will have their own interpretation of the concept that brings the girl in the photo peace, making this a subjective photo series. The use of the bed in my photos symbolises a dreamscape environment, enhancing the idea of tranquility. I utilised a white chair in order to not only signify the body resting, but also the focusing of the mind. The model was made to wear a white dress, as white is associated with innocence, purity, and peace. It is also known to be the color of perfection, which can only exist in a land of make believe. Things that I enjoyed whilst photographing my series was connecting with nature myself and absorbing it's powerful healing capabilities. It was also great to be working with my family and friends while being able to express my creativity at the same time. During the process of photographing, having access to all of these positive outlets has improved my peers and even my own mental health in an extraordinary way. I hope that when I release these photos to an audience, they can feel peace and comfort when viewing my artwork as it is the message I have attempted to portray through the photo series. Exploring the forms in which the mind searches for tranquility when in need for an escape. In order to emphasise these features a wide angle shot was used in the majority of the photos. This was achieved through the use of a wide camera lens and shot from below, all while being very close to the model. In addition, this technique held her dress close to the lens to make the dress look like it was floating, this adds motion and fluidity to the photos. Shooting from a low angle increases a sense of comforting and authority within the photos, a feeling that can reassure the audience.
DANICA HARKNESS