honorable mention
Mia Krys united states
title
Vessels
This series seeks to shed light upon the inevitable discomfort that comes with finding yourself reflected in ways you did not ask to see, and the power of basking in the shadowy parts to make room for more light to emerge. To recognize this power that lies within darkness, silence, and the empty space that makes a vessel most useful, is to recognize the power of a woman. Opening, emerging, reflection, refusal, bloodshed, shadow and light are all themes exhibited in my work as a whole.
The hair featured in some of these images is my own that I cut off three years prior to creating this series. It is meant to represent myself as a woman, freedom and liberation associated with cutting off every inch of hair I had at the time. Hair is extremely important in our culture, especially as women, and this series seeks explore that concept in a unique light.
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entry description
As women, we are vessels. Vessels of light, of water, of receiving souls from outside of our world and carrying them into existence. Vessels of karmic pain, lifetimes of accusation, assault, and abuse. We carry within ourselves both the strengths and the sorrows of our ancestors.This series seeks to shed light upon the inevitable discomfort that comes with finding yourself reflected in ways you did not ask to see, and the power of basking in the shadowy parts to make room for more light to emerge. To recognize this power that lies within darkness, silence, and the empty space that makes a vessel most useful, is to recognize the power of a woman. Opening, emerging, reflection, refusal, bloodshed, shadow and light are all themes exhibited in my work as a whole.
The hair featured in some of these images is my own that I cut off three years prior to creating this series. It is meant to represent myself as a woman, freedom and liberation associated with cutting off every inch of hair I had at the time. Hair is extremely important in our culture, especially as women, and this series seeks explore that concept in a unique light.
about the photographer
Mia Krys is a visual artist currently based in Portland, Oregon. Her work is centered around form, narrative and movement. Krys began working with large format film in 2017 as a means of forcing herself to slow down and remain present, and pairs traditional darkroom techniques with an experimental approach to portray thought provoking narratives. She now works with a variety of film formats, however large format and silver gelatin printing remain her primary focus amongst other alternative photographic processes, and most recently, 16mm motion picture film.back to gallery