My Voice My Lens: Part 5 - Leadership, Image and Identity and Self-Portrait Photography
“Being the first black woman photographer to have a work acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in 1975 was like getting an Academy Award and no one knowing about it. I didn’t tell anyone for years...Being a black woman photographer was like being nobody.”
Ming Smith, fr. Interview: Lost (and Found), Artland Magazine, Edition 15, 2019
Self-Portrait With Camera, Ming-Smith, New York City,1975
“I feel like I am an introverted person. I often enjoy living in my own head. Yet at the same time, I find myself being described as an extroverted person, more often than I would like to admit.
This picture reminds me of this split in perspective between how I view myself and how the rest of the world views me.”
Rezaul Hoque, Artist’s Statement, Workshop 1/Introducing Myself, 2020
Split-Introvert-Extrovert, Rezaul Hoque, My Voice My Lens, Cohort 9, 2020, Wave Financial
Backstory/1
The Birth of My Voice My Lens, Version/2: Image and Identity:
In the summer of 2019, I was invited by Ashira Gobrin, renowned Chief People and Culture Officer at
Wave HQ - to collaborate on designing and teaching Version/2 of My Voice My Lens. Together, we envisioned an intensive 3-session programme where leaders had the opportunity to delve deeper into the tenacious lived questions:
What is my personal relationship with “image” - which manifests as positional status, and “identity”- which manifests as personal stature”’?
and
How I can I develop effective approaches to balancing and aligning status and stature, and thus foster the arts of “trust” and “humility”?
Backstory/2
Selfie vs. Self-Portraiture
We live in an era of self-portraiture what has yielded to pop culture, compelling us to narrate our lives in the first person. When we take selfies - raw or polished - we care about who, besides us, might see them our audience’s collective meta-commentary.
Hence: the repeated question, posed during every My Voice My Lens’ cohort: “How is a self-portrait different from a selfie?”
Our response: “intention!”
Ergo: carve out a space for personal, deeply meaningful, artistic self-expression...and... share your “inner narrative” with a small group of empathetic, like-minded leaders and creative thinkers.
Living the Questions
Great leaders at Wave and the Aphasia Institute contemplate their image and/or identity through the lens of:
elusive time, change, memory
Ghostown, Frances Kim, My Voice My Lens, Cohort 9, Workshop 4/The Frame and Picture Within A Picture, 2020, Wave Financial
“Five weeks ago, I was consumed with thoughts of the future and trying to make sense of the present. Today, I feel as though I’m at the precipice of what seems like the beginning of the middle of this narrative, and I’m now peddling my way backwards because I’m trying to remember how I got here.”
Frances Kim, Artist’s Statement, Workshop 4/The Frame & Picture Within A Picture, 2020
one’s evolving sense of self
Man Machine, Andrew Baldanza, My Voice My Lens, Workshop 4/The Frame and Picture Within A Picture, 2019, Wave Financial
“After my first session in My Voice My Lens, one daunting question loomed large in my mind: “How can I accurately communicate my image and sense of self to others through photography?”
Now, at the end of the journey, I feel my time in My Voice My Lens has been less about learning to perfectly communicate who I am and more about confronting my sense of self, I ask myself not “what do you want others to see?” but “who do you want to be.”
Andrew Baldanza, Culminating Artist’s Statement, 2019
escape into one’s creative mind
Fantastical Escape, Joshua Siegal, My Voice My Lens, Cohort 1, 2020, Wave Financial
“Fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi have always been an opportunity to escape and let my mind explore in a new and different way.
This picture was taken inside Cybercity Comix, a place I always feel welcome and a source of constant fuel into the creative side of my mind. It’s inspiring to see so many artists find success in the world of the fantastical.”
Joshua Siegal, Artist’s Statement, My Voice My Lens, Workshop 1/Introducing Myself, 2019
a son
Doin’ Stuff, Steven Weinberg, My Voice My Lens, Workshop 4/The Frame and Picture Within A Picture, 2020, Wave Financial
“At this point in the workshop, a global pandemic was declared.
Self-reflection was no longer a priority and, with the new reality setting in, my self-portraits began to comprise what was most important to me, and a reflection of my priorities - my son, who has always been a priority for me and part of my identity. But now, in this period of uncertainty, he became even more important..
My dirty hands are a metaphor for the hard work to keep this small child busy and exploring day in and day out.”
Steve Weinberg, Workshop 4/The Frame & Picture Within A Picture and Culminating Artist’s Statement, 2020
a parent
My Father’s Hand, Sarah Bugeja, My Voice My Lens, V2/Image and Identity, 2019, Wave Financial
“My parents and cultural heritage are a big part of my identity. It’s something that I am extremely proud of.
I often spend time reflecting on my self-question “Who am I?” Am I where I grew up? Am I my parents? “Am I their legacy? I am proud to be a mix of all of those things. My identity is so incredibly interwoven with where and who I come from.”
Sarah Bugeja, Artist’s Statement, Assignment 2, My Voice My Lens, Image and Identity, 2019
an empty nest
Empty Nest, Andrew Ratcliff, My Voice My Lens, V2/Image and Identity, 2019, Wave Financial
“At home, my role as a leader was undergoing huge changes. My oldest daughter was preparing to leave for her first year of University at Carleton in Ottawa. It was a very emotional time for myself and our whole family.
Who am I as a father now that she has moved out of the house? It’s been such a huge part of my identity. Has my role in life, and therefore my identity, just undergone a major shift?”
Andrew Ratcliff , Artist’s Statements, Assignment 2 & Culminating, V2/Image and Identity, 2019
questioning “authenticity”
Vibrance?, Angie Dobbs, My Voice My Lens, V2/Image and Identity, 2019
Vibrance!, Angie Dobbs, My Voice My Lens, V2/Image and Identity, 2019
“I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Los Angeles for the second homework exercise where the sunshine gave me ample opportunity to explore the theme of “vibrance”.
“Vibrance?” represents “image”. The colours are there, but it’s still a little cold. It reminds me that, as a leader, I don’t always have the answers.
“Vibrance!” represents “identity”. It has more imperfections, but I like that because it’s truly me. I am happy and bright, and the bit of shade represents the ups and downs that are a normal part of life. It better represents my authentic self.”
Angie Dobbs, Culminating Artist’s Statement, V2/Image and Identity, 2019
first impressions
No Façade, Valeriya Tyan, My Voice My Lens, Workshop 1/Introducing Myself, 2017, Wave Financial
“There is a certain way that I want people to perceive me, and makeup artistry allows me to control that image.
Since graduation and starting my professional journey, I believed that makeup would make me appear more mature so that people would take me more seriously.
For this assignment, I chose “No Facade” as my best photo, as it truly introduces myself as who I am - no makeup, no facade.”
Vareriya Tayan, Artist’s Statement, My Voice My Lens, Workshop 1/Introducing Myself, 2017
labels
Labels, Rob Van Gennip, My Voice My Lens, V2/Image and Identity, 2019, Wave Financial
“When we first meet someone, we introduce ourselves with our name, part of our identity. Some labels we shy away from, and some we deceive ourselves with.
My hope, by including some coarse labels about myself, we can have honest conversations about who we are, and the connotations labels carry.”
Rob Van Gennip, Culminating Artist’s Statement, My Voice My Lens, V2/Image and Identity, 2019
intellectual vs. physical self
Untitled, Wai Chung Hon, My Voice My Lens V2/Image and Identity, 2019, Wave Financial
“Untitled” reflects who I am at my core. There is both physical and symbolic symmetry in the photo. My left hand - my dominant hand for writing - represents the intellectual aspect of my image and identity; my right hand - my dominant hand in sports - represents the physical aspect of my identity.
Placed side by side, my hands are a visual manifestation of the internal struggle between my intellectual and physical self.”
Wai Chung Hon, Culminating Artist’s Statement, V2/Image and Identity, 2019
our many dimensions
Looking Outwards, Looking Inwards- Workshop 4/The Frame and Picture Within A Picture, 2017, Reza Rahimi, My Voice My Lens, Wave Financial
Looking Inwards - V2/Image and Identity, 2019, Reza Rahimi, My Voice My Lens, Wave Financial
Looking Outwards, Workshop 2/Light & Shadow,2017, Reza Rahimi, My Voice My Lens, Wave Financial
“There are different angles and perspectives you can take portraits of - in line with that there are different angles and perspectives to each individual’s personality.
That's my main take from this exercise: ‘different ways to look at every person, to understand the many dimensions to their personality’.”
Reza Rahimi, Artist’s Statement, Point of View/Angle of View, 2017
a journey home
Untitled, Alex Lazar, My Voice Through My Lens, Intermediate/Session 2/Windows,, 2914, Aphasia Institute
My camera helps me to:
reveal myself through art
How did the program change you?
Know myself
Discover myself
What are the central themes in your self-portraits?
looking outwards
looking inwards
Alex Lazar, Culminating Artist’s Statement, Aphasia Institute, 2014, Toronto
* This Artist’s Statement was co-created by Alex and a skilled conversation partner. The process began with Alex’s selection of options from the communicatively accessible document. The collaborative conversation then works toward more detailed expression, as Alex added his own comments through short phrases to produce this documentation of thoughts, feelings and opinions about his work as a photographer.
a journey home
Bright Future, Krista Cappadocia, My Voice My Lens, Workshop 2/Light and Shadow, 2020, Wave Financial
“Staring out that window, you can only see my back... and snow piles on the neighbor's roof. I was thinking how far I have come since moving out of my childhood bedroom in a very small town and into the big city of Toronto.
My back in this photo is representing the past and all the life experiences I had brought with me into my new future, which is represented by the window and beautiful sunshine just beyond it. I have learned over the years how this has all shaped me into the leader I am today, and that I have a bright future ahead of me.”
Krista Cappadocia , Culminating Artist’s Statement, 2019
self-portrait as metaphor: resilience
Sprout, Ghazaleh Sommerville, My Voice My Lens, Workshop 5/Self-Portrait as Metaphor, 2017, Wave Financial
“Capturing a blossom during spring would be a great metaphor for my outlook on situations I face, and also a reflection of my life right now. I always see the possibility to learn, grow and blossom. No matter how difficult the situation and hard the task may be, there is always a rebirth opportunity that comes with it - a new perspective and journey that perpetuates a life of its own.”
Artist’s Statement: Ghazaleh Sommerville, Self-Portrait as Metaphor, 2017
Conclusion
These “Lensers” - enlivened leaders all - instinctively understand that meaningful artmaking involves a committed investment of time and effort, creative engagement, reflection, critical thinking and mindful risk-taking - all essential artists’ springboards and fundamental life skills.
Throughout the creative process of making self-portraits - imagining and envisioning, developing, and mastering skills, reflecting, and elaborating - I have witnessed how each leader has cultivated a personal aesthetic, and how their personal sense of ‘beauty’ became an artful tool for evoking meaning in one’s leadership vision and practices.
Indeed, My Voice My Lens continues to be a lived experience that ultimately mirrors back to one’s self-questions and self-image and identity.
Inspirational Teachers I Draw On
1. The Vremia Group: The Dissident Photographers of Ukraine
Evgeniy Pavlov & Jury Rupin, Kharkiv (founders), Boris Mikhailov, Anatoliy Makiyenko, Oleg Maliovany, Oleksandr Sitnichenko, Oleksandr Suprun, and Gennadiy Tubalev: core of the Kharkiv School of Photography (KSOP)
founded, in Kharkiv, Ukraine,1970
a collective of 3 generations of “nonconformist photographers” who “share the uncertain fate of the Ukrainian people”
source: Aperture’s Best Photography Features of 2022, December 26, 2022
https://aperture.org/editorial/the-dissident-photographers-of-ukraine
2. Amak Mahmoodian
Persian photographer, prize-winning photo-book author, ethnologist, social activist
questions notions of identity and home
explores the effects of exile and distance on memory, dreams and daily life
source: RRB Photo Books - https://www.rrbphotobooks.com/collections/amak-mahmoodian
3. Rosamund Stone Zander and Maestro Benjamin Zander
co-authors: The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, Harvard Business School Press, 2000, Penguin Books, 2002
Rosamind - Pioneer in the field of Leadership: Executive Coaching, Family Systems Therapist, teacher, gifted landscape painter,
Benjamin - conductor Boston Symphony Orchestra and New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic, international guest conductor, teacher, storyteller, public speaker: Leadership, cross-cultural understanding
4. Ode to Joy by Ludwig van Beethoven
imagined and composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, 1822 -1824
adapted from the poem ‘Ode to Joy”- written by Friedlich Shciller, 1785
the final (fourth) movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
‘an eternal masterwork of the supreme human art: making meaning out of chaos, beauty out of sorrow... and fusing presence and possibility’
‘a turning point in the history of music that revolutionized the symphony and planted the seed of the pop song’
source: Trial, Triumph, and the Art of the Possible: The Remarkable Story Behind Beethoven’s Ode to Joy by Maria Popova, The Marginalian, May 17, 2022
https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/05/17/beethoven-ode-to-joy/
Great News!
I am delaying my upcoming Blog, and taking time to focus on shaping a newsletter, which I hope will reach you more often and also offer an opportunity to comment and ask questions.
Looking forward!
In the meantime, may the new year, and beyond, find you thriving in wellness and creativity.
j.
