Self-Portrait: Divided. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 10 x 8 inches.

I realize I am vulnerable in this post. But I am posting with confidence. Self-portraits need to be deeply personal.

As a white, female individual, I am constantly thinking about life and how people are born into situations beyond their control. Some are born privileged and some are born underprivileged. I am plagued by these thoughts whenever I hear news of (in my opinion) unconstitutional immigrant laws being passed, etc. I also think about the white race as a whole and my identity within that race. I feel a incredible amount of white-guilt whenever I think about the effects of imperialism on contemporary cultures and society. But there is no need to blame. It doesn’t solve problems; it creates more conflicts. I once walked into a grocery store, that was located in a poorer side of Chicago, and got death glares from African Americans for shopping there. I have also walked into grocery stores in underprivileged areas of Atlanta and received friendly welcomes. I am a lover of all people and all races. Everyone has a situation and everyone has a past. I know that it is near impossible to ever get out of an underprivileged, cyclical and genetic situation… My husband came from nothing… I may not have the same background; but I have a great idea of what it’s like to grow up that way. One cannot help the situation he or she is born into, and I think it is unfair that all aren’t granted the same chance. I cannot reverse or remedy the situation, but I can express these concerns and thoughts through my work. Everyone has a voice; an opportunity. And it pains me that more aren’t heard. I do not wish to offend anyone with these words because they are my own thoughts and my own opinions, that I feel directly relate to this series of photographs. With that being said, I do not wish to provoke a heated, political debate on my blog… just to open a door.

This series of self-portraits were taken this past weekend at Lake Oconee. I feel fortunate and blessed to be able to visit such an incredibly beautiful place. This mirror was placed in the house about two years ago, and I have found myself staring at it every trip I’ve made there. I am fascinated with the way the mirror panels dissect, and fragment, the complete image. It’s an interesting mirror because it is difficult to see your full self… unless you are really tall. But that is why I think I am drawn to it. I shot these my last night there, right before I went to bed. I looked into the mirror and saw whiteness. So, I decided to document and photograph this moment, with these thoughts in mind. I was also thinking about film verses digital photography and, although I am a fan of and work in digital, I love the nostalgia attached to film photography. I wish I knew how to set up my own darkroom in my garage, so I could go out and purchase a film camera. I’d love to play around in the darkroom. I love the process there. But for now, I’ll stick to Lightroom.

Mirrors fascinate me because I find them creepy. It is strange and uncomfortable to stare at yourself in a mirror or, at least, to me it is. There are so many horror movies involving ghosts, etc. appearing in mirrors, which might be why they creep me out. I think it’s important to stop and take a look at ourselves in a mirror once in awhile… and contemplate who we are as individuals, within a greater whole of a society. There has got to be a solution that enables us to strip the world of hate, greed and anger… the future frightens me… it is hard for me to tune into the news for a long period of time. My hope is for “peace and tranquillity” to spread throughout the world, as frequently quoted by the late great Pete Nance whenever asked what he wanted for Christmas. With an economic crisis at hand in the United States, and two political parties that cannot agree on anything… something has got to give and something has got to mature. I know that may be an idealistic impossible dream, but it is worth it to hope. I wonder what self-portraits of mine I will produce in my old age… or if I will even want to photograph self-portraits then. Ok, I hope you enjoy these and I am sorry to leave you with such a serious post… perhaps the lady statue in these photographs will lighten the mood… she amuses me

A Split Self-Portrait. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 8 x 10 inches.

Self-Portrait in White and Mirrors. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 10 x 8 inches.

A Distant Self-Portrait in a Bathroom. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 10 x 8 inches.

A Manipulated, Split View. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 8 x 10 inches.

Refurbished Revelations. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 10 x 8 inches.

Infinite and Finite. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 10 x 8 inches.

The Mirrored Door. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 10 x 8 inches.

Apparition of a Self-Portrait Female. Polly Nance. Digital photograph. 8 x 10 inches.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO VISIT AND VIEW MY BLOG!

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE ANY AND ALL FEEDBACK. ALTHOUGH IF YOUR COMMENT IS POLITICALLY HEATED, I WILL NOT POST. AND REMEMBER, THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE MY SELF-PORTRAITS AND MY CONTEMPLATION OF MY OWN, WHITE IDENTITY. AND EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN, UNIQUE IDENTITY THAT DESERVES TO BE RESPECTED. EVERYONE HAS A VOICE! KEEP DREAMIN’ THE DREAM AND NEVER GIVE UP.

PEACE, LOVE UNTIL MY NEXT BLOGGY-BLOG POST, DEAR FELLOW BLOG READIN’ FRIENDS.