The Flow of Things
Decolonizing Visual Narratives: A Photographic Exploration of History and Imagination
The intersection of history and imagination has long been a fertile ground for exploration in visual storytelling. This work series seeks to redefine the boundaries of this domain by offering a decolonial perspective on historical narratives and personal archives. By leveraging open-access image archives and my photography, this project challenges dominant visual representations of the past, crafting a novel approach to collective memory and identity formation.
The digital age has precipitated a significant transformation in the visual landscape, characterized by the proliferation of digital documentation and image archives. This shift has expanded the possibilities for visual storytelling, enabling the creation of connections and dialogues that transcend traditional media limitations. However, these visual archives often reflect colonial and imperialist perspectives, embodying the biases and power structures inherent in their creation.
Drawing inspiration from ongoing efforts to decolonize various humanities disciplines, this project aims to reconceptualize the epistemological and aesthetic foundations of visual narratives. By doing so, it challenges prevailing references and assumptions that have long dominated the field. The methodology involves a critical engagement with open-access image archives, unraveling and recontextualizing past narratives. This approach acknowledges the need to scrutinize the cultural influences that shape our understanding of visual representations, moving beyond the notion of timeless, decontextualized mirrors of objective data.
The project employs collage as its primary medium, drawing from arts-based research methodologies. This technique allows for the juxtaposition of multiple ideas within a single work, facilitating a nuanced exploration of complex historical narratives. By doing so, the project contributes to ongoing efforts to redefine the boundaries of visual culture, reclaiming agency for marginalized discourses and amplifying their voices.
Ultimately, this work demonstrates the potential of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex sociocultural issues through artistic practice. It offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between history, imagination, and visual representation, challenging viewers to reconsider their understanding of the past and its impact on the present.
Sizes variable. /2024 - ongoing/
