Portrait of a Ghost, Reflection Series, 2013
A short film that explores portraiture through combined media revealing hidden ghost identities of the subject.
The short film deals with self-portraiture, mental health, dissociation, and severance from ego. Self-portraiture is experienced by the viewer as a static image; however, the process of creating a self-portrait is time-based. The artist examines visual information, a collection of moments over time distilled into the captured artwork. Ego dissolves, the artist forgets themselves in the making process, providing an opportunity to observe a prolonged state of detached being, consumed by presence and not concerned with identity.
By adding movement back into the drawing through video, the portrait unfolds, revealing the unconscious mind like a dream. The viewer is brought into the portrait, experiencing it in the time-based way it was created, witnessing a series of ephemeral moments that brought it to life. The finished portrait stands as a ghostly remnant of the self, capturing the ephemeral moments experienced during its creation.
Screened at Royal Cinema Toronto, Augmented Cinema Festival
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Portrait of a Ghost
This video explores the profound impact of mental illness on communication. By recording the script backwards and then playing the video in reverse, the piece illustrates the disorienting and fragmented nature of trying to convey thoughts during a psychotic episode. The resulting confusion, dissociation, and delusional thinking highlight the immense barriers to communication, emphasizing the isolation that often follows such experiences. Through this method, the work aims to provide a visceral representation of the internal struggles faced by those dealing with mental health challenges.