I’m an introvert. Someone who likes to work behind the scenes. There are few photos of me on this website, nor on my social media. As an artist, if you want to sell your work, then you need to be visible. People want to know who you are so they know how to interpret your work. Many years ago, I did a short course with the University of Tasmania. One of the assessments was to abstract the self through photography. Worth revisiting? I think so. Here is a post “Abstracting the Self – 5 Thoughts” which is mostly new. It does take small elements from the original post, but I am applying the concept much more broadly.

1. Show parts of the physical self

Many artists show a hand with a brush, or the face, turned away, looking at a canvas. Some artists are photographed from behind, standing in front of their canvas. Looking at it. Other artists hold their work up high, in front of themselves. Their hands and upper section of the face being visible.

All of these convey a sense of humanity, without making the person central. I tried obscuring part of my face with a camera.

2. Icons

I notice many profile images of people on social media are represented as an icon. A graphic drawing which is representative of the self but does not show the real person. The graphic might give a sense of the personality by what is emphasised or added.

This is fine for personal use, but does it cut it for someone who wants to be taken seriously? Maybe it adds necessary distance and protection from identity theft? I honestly don’t know.

3. Filter Distortions

Many apps are available to distort the face. Some use abstract colouration, others use fairground mirror effects. Yet more allow modifications to an image in more ways than I can imagine. All of these prevent the viewer from seeing the person as they are.

Many people feel the urge to present themselves as beautiful or at least conforming to current trends. The apps allow that. I don’t see the point of that because I want to be myself. I’ve spent too much of my life trying to present myself as other people want me to be. Now I am just me.

4. Excerpts or Composite Photographs

Apps also allow the creation of composite photographs. They also enable fantastic excerpts from a photograph of the face. There is something authentic about this because the artist is constructing an image of themselves, similar to a self-portrait. Sometimes an intense image of an eye can tell you all you need to know.

5. Representation Through Pets and Hobbies

How many profiles do you see where the person’s image is shown by something representing a passion in their life? Commonly this will be a dog, a cat, a motorbike, a flower or family. This approach gives clues about personality, and I don’t object to it in personal profiles. However, for an artist, is an image of artwork acceptable as a representation of the self? I have done this myself, so I’m in no position to criticise.

Speaking for myself, there are some reasons I don’t like using my image. I feel that people tend to judge the worth of an artwork by the way the artist looks. Older women, in particular, tend to be dismissed. For me, it is time to address this, and post my photo. The one below is me with my artwork ‘The Pink Switch’ which was in the 2024 Textile Pallette Exhibition in Clunes.