The Emerging Self (View)
The Emerging Self - adonis, celestial echoes
These images deal with the notion of developing adulthood within our society today. This volatile stage of life has long been recognised as a critical time of conflict and turmoil. As they move from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to adulthood, both boys and girls have to redefine themselves. The way they interact with the world around them in a purely physical sense, as well as in a social and psychological one, has been of continuing interest to me.
The notion of �aping adults� is one area studied. It is almost as if certain children bear the imprint of their adulthood about them. Fashion, body image and the first stirrings of narcissism are explored, reflecting the status quo as set out in popular culture and in the media.
Following on from this, body language itself is observed, where the developing characteristics of male and female behaviour are looked at. Some of the subjects� interaction with the camera reflects the physical and emotional awkwardness or tension that can be experienced in this period of growth.
Lastly the images are involved with the emotions and the psyche. The inner, private world of thoughts, dreams and fantasies are explored, as well as a sense of vulnerability and alienation that can be so prevalent at this time.
In addition, my concern has been with the way male/female differences and similarities manifest themselves in all these areas. With the subjects being very much children of our time, my use of colour has been a conscious attempt to accentuate a feeling of the here and now.
Showcase
View The Emerging SelfAbout Michelle Sank
REPRENTATION
The Print Room, The Photographers Gallery, London
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Allan Servais, Brussells
AWARDS
2002/ 2004 South West Visual Arts Award
2004 European Award for Women Photographers Shortlisted
PUBLICATIONS
2001
Katalog Photographic and Video Magazine, Denmark �Autumn/Winter Issue
The British Journal of Photography � November Issue.
2002
The Big Issue, London � May Issue
Frankfurter Rundschau, Frankfurt, Germany � August Issue.
2003
The British Journal of Photography � April Issue.
The Artist�s Newsletter Magazine, England � May Issue
FotoMagazin, Munich, Germany � May Issue
PhotoReview U.S.A � September Issue
50 Easy Magazine, Barcelona, Spain � September Issue
Next Level UK � October Issue
2004
Hot Shoe Magazine, England
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1999 Phoenix Arts Centre, Exeter, Devon, England.
2001 Image Gallery, Bedford, England.
2002 Phoenix Gallery, Exeter, Devon, England.
2003 The Guildhall, Gloucester, England. The Emerging Self
2003 Lauderdale House, London, England. The Emerging Self
2003 Trace gallery, Dorset, England. Adonis
2004 Kakenhallen Gallery, Mariehamn, Finland
2004 Photogallery Peri, Turku, Helsinki
2005 Houston Centre of Photography, Houston, Texas.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2001
National Portrait Gallery, London. John Kobal Portrait Competition.
The Workstation, Sheffield, England. �5�
The Site Gallery, Sheffield, England. Immediate 2
2002
National Portrait Gallery, London, John Kobal Portrait Competition.
The Castle Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa. Month of Photography.
Orleans House Gallery, Twickenham, London. Art, Age + Gender.
Gloucester City Galleries. Eyepoppers.
Lauderdale House, Highgate London. Winner Annual Photographic exhibition.
Bury Museum & Art Gallery, Bury, Manchester, England. A Wealth in Common.
Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, England. Blood Will Out.
The Stilwerk, Berlin, Germany. Fotobild Berlin,
L.A. Gallery, Frankfurt, Germany. �Two of Us�.
2003
Photoespana, Madrid, Spain (Runner Up)
Northwest Centre for Photography, Seattle, U.S.A (Honorary Mention)
Center for Contemporary Art, USA (Honorary Mention)
The Gables Gallery, Norwich, England, Michelle Sank & Gina Glover
Usher Gallery, Lincoln, England. Art, Age & Gender
2004
Benham Gallery, Seattle, U.S.A
Hirschl Gallery, London. Trace Edition
The Corn Exchange, Newbury, England. Art, Age & Gender.
Tom Blau Gallery, London.
Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate.