artist statement
Touch is a big part of life. We use our hands to feel things from we’re babies; textures, heat, and it helps us feel more safe with the people we touch. Thus, it is natural that touch becomes a part of all relationships throughout our lives. The touches between the people closes to us (parents, friends, partners) are especially important to us. However, the touch between two people changes based on their relationship.
“soma” explores this idea through exploring the variety of touches between people with different relationships. “soma” looks at how a touch between two people gives their relationships an identity. Only presenting close-up images of the touches takes the focus away from who the people are, and instead puts focus on the unspoken language between the two people. The aim of the body of work is for people to reflect on their own relationships and what their touches say about them.
Soma means the body as distinct from the soul, mind, or psyche.