Artist Spotlight: Francesca Woodman

So I thought I'd start of this blog with one of my most favourite photographers, Francesca Woodman. I ended up being introduced to her work by my art teacher whilst trying to figure out what my coursework would be based on, and the instant I saw Woodman's work I knew that she would become a huge influence over me.

Untitled, 1975-1980

 Here's a few facts before I start delving in:

• She was born in 1958.
• Most of her prints are 8 by 10 inches.
• It is believed that she was influenced by Duane Michals, so not a fact per say but still an important speculation!
• Unfortunately Woodman committed suicide in 1981. The exact reason has never been stated but it was believed to be because of the lack of interest others had in her work and also her failing relationship. Both of which caused her to become depressed.  

House #3, Providence, Rhode Island, 1976

What I find captivating about Woodman's work is the setting which she surrounds herself in. 

Often it is a decaying or empty room creating a foreboding presence, emphasised by the blurred and distorted figure. The settings are simple and could be seen as underwhelming, yet the way Woodman frames and angles her work effectively defeats this notion, and instead creates this intriguing image that the viewer can't help but be pulled in by. This is because the framing gives the feel of it being contained; a world the viewer cannot reach or interact with.

From Angel series, Rome, 1977

Some may describe Woodman's work as disturbing and uncomfortable, or even dark and melancholy. However, with the movement and blurred figures, Woodman appears to be depicting freedom; it's as though she is limitless. With photography Woodman is able to explore and express herself without confinement, and she uses this to a great extent. It can be said that Francesca Woodman was also influenced by the supernatural, due to the influence of Gothic Fiction, and that her some of her work reflects portrayals of the afterlife. This leaves me wondering the story behind each photograph due to the ancient mood she creates,  making it feel as though the ‘ghosts’ in the photographs have stories which have been long forgotten.

Self Deceit #1, 1978

Her work isn't just focused on the blurring of figures, but also on exploring the female body. Woodman, rather than sexualising the female body, uses it as a way to explore herself and her identity through her work. This is implied as she analyses herself in the mirror in 'Self Deceit #1' (see above). A wonderful analysis of the photo, which I stumbled across as I was searching for Woodman's photos, is from the National Galleries website,  "Alone and naked, Woodman appears vulnerable as she undertakes a personal self-exploration, underlined by the small and intimate format of the photographs. The photographs are not self-portraits in the conventional sense, as the photographs explore the possibilities of representation instead of revealing the artist’s identity. In the photographs she uses a mirror as a prop – it becomes a symbol of artistic self-reflexivity, reflecting the ‘eye’ of the camera back upon itself."[link here] Unfortunately it does not state who has written this, but their interpretation of her work is truly fascinating. I have to agree with the concept of how Woodman's 'Self Deceit #1' reflects how artists are constantly analysing themselves and their minds as they produce their work. 

From Angel Series, Rome, 1977-78

When I first came across Francesca Woodman's work, I felt excited to finally find a photographer whose work I absolutely adored and hoped to find more recent works. That was until of course, I found out she committed suicide many years ago at the young age of 22. I was absolutely saddened. I wanted to find out more about Woodman and her mind and how she came up with these ideas and why she did this or that. I was fully intrigued and curious about her. All I had to go on was the small number of articles about her provided by the internet. I suppose it's the mystery of both Woodman and her photographs that continue to intrigue viewers even many years after her death. It's a shame when artists are not appreciated in their own time.