We live in an age where our identities are portrayed or maybe even rely on our digital presence. We have the ability to hide behind edited photos, showing an artificial or enhanced version of ourselves. People tend to categorize and judge based on this very surface level version of ourselves. Unfortunately, photos can be limiting in what they portray. We are much deeper than a single photo or even a single moment. We are constantly changing beings with many layers. How do we capture the true complexities of a person’s identity in a singular snapshot? ‘Below the Surface’ explores identity beyond physical image and challenges the reality of photography through fragmentation and layering.

Using various patterns and a carve-by-cutting technique, this project exposes the complex layers of identity that sit below the surface, each using an abstract pattern unique to that person. After taking a variety of close up portraits, I carefully selected 1-2 per person, and started brainstorming the patterns and colors I would use to portray their inner identity. Each final piece consists of about 5-10 printed images, each of which use the same selected portrait, but with modified color and cutting variations. To both emphasize and literalize this “depth beyond the surface” idea I layered these photos with a black and white image on the top that incrementally increases in color as it gets deeper. I used a laser printed and xacto knife to cut out organic and geometric patterns, covering the skin on the face and leaving a few identifying features. This project was not only a technical exploration of cutting and photographic sculpture, but also an exploration of identity through pattern, color, and portraits which has been a consistent theme throughout my work.