What is a self-portrait? It can be defined as an image produced by someone with the intention of self representation. However, for being so broad, this definition isn't helpful in determining much.
Relating to the subject matter, I find that looking at the impossibilities presented by self-portraiture to be a more useful approach. Sometimes a useful tool in assigning meaning to something is to look at the limitations presented by the subject at hand.
- Impossibility of presence: it is always an evocation of a presence, which means, what is represented is always an absence;
- Impossibility of totality: an image is inefficient at synthesizing the appearance of someone, whose appearance is in nature in constant flux.
The attempt at self-portraiture has to be approached as a search, a chase, or even a relentless collection of fragments of one's appearance and self representations and perceptions.
This installation is a part of the archive of images I have been producing. Some of them were produced with the clear intention of making a self-portrait, others are self-referential, and there are also ones that border between self-portraiture and self representation. Each individual attempt is to be considered as contributing to the greater whole of the work, and the "self-portrait".
Exhibition in Electricidade Estética, Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
01/12/2011
Selfportrait, 2010, oil on velvet, 70x90cm
