I was trained in traditional photographic practices, but as I’ve delved deeper into understanding myself as an artist, I’ve increasingly sought to incorporate sculptural elements into my work. By adding physical layers such as glass and photographic gels, I aim to transform the viewing experience, inviting the audience to engage with the emotions that resonate beneath the surface—those unconscious feelings that shape our understanding.
For years, my projects centered on landscape photography, exploring places imbued with unseen energy, like vortexes and sacred spiritual locations. However, after becoming a mother and confronting my own life’s traumas, I’ve realized that my core interest lies not just in the invisible, but in the depths of the unconscious. A pivotal moment in my artistic journey occurred in Saguaro National Park, where I grappled with my identity post-motherhood, and rediscovered my inspiration amongst the towering Saguaros and the glow of magic hour light. During this time, I was also immersing myself in the philosophies of Carl Jung. This awakening has led me to focus on the Jungian concept of “the Shadow.” The resilience of the Saguaro cacti, thriving in harsh conditions, resonates deeply with my own journey through motherhood.
In this body of work, I layer images on Plexiglass, offset from inkjet prints, to embody the notion of the shadow self. Jung theorized that our hidden aspects often remain out of reach. In my art, the layering creates both a physical and visual distance between the images, representing this shadowy facet of identity. The resulting shadows not only suggest a literal separation but also mirror the complex makeup of ourselves, echoing the intricacies of our hidden layers and the multiple roles we play.
Documentation Photography by Jeff McLane
