Artist Biography
My thesis project is a portrayal and reflection of my experiences with my mental health, specifically anxiety. After talking to Professor Volk about my idea for the project, we both decided that although it may be a lot to undertake, it could be a good way to cope and reflect on a day-to-day basis. I wanted to have an array of images within my body of work that represented different sides and aspects of dealing with anxiety. I incorporated images that are more straightforward and direct, while also adding images that need to be looked at a bit longer in order to be understood. Including images that portrayed my feeling of anxiety to me was very important as I feel that it is something that lots of people can relate to, and those who can’t, might have empathy for what is portrayed. I wanted this body of work to be one that everyone can look at, feel, and understand, even if they are not struggling with their mental health.
All of my images are black and white to create one cohesive piece that gives off a somber tone. In this manner, I have attempted to emulate the feeling of anxiety. I have also made a video out of the photographs I took in an effort to intensify my portrayal of anxiety. The audio playing behind the images flashing on the screen, along with the words that sporadically appear, help to further create an underlying feeling of anxiety amongst the viewers. Mental health is something that needs to be talked about more, something that needs to be less stigmatized, and by creating this project, I feel as though I am doing my part to help change the narrative of how mental health is looked at and understood.
To view the rest of my thesis project along with the video that coincides with it, view my website! https://kenleykegler.myportfolio.com/thesis
Thesis Abstract
From a young age, I always found myself stealing my dad’s camera and taking it outside to photograph flowers and nature. Photography started as a hobby for me and I never really thought about taking it farther than that. I was never really sure what I wanted to go to college for, up until the last possible moment when I decided to just take the leap and major in photography. Throughout my four years, I started to find more joy and interest in portrait photography, learning new techniques to light and pose my subjects. During my semester-long internship, I absolutely fell in love with working with small children and their families. I loved getting to know each of them individually and oftentimes seeing them for multiple sessions. I loved getting to know each of them individually and oftentimes seeing them for multiple sessions.
During this same time of self-discovery of where I wanted to take my photography in the future, I was also silently struggling with my mental health. My anxiety is something I have dealt with since I was young, but it was never something that really affected me so much that I was not able to function. With my anxiety at a new high, I was spending nights wide awake, feeling nauseous for hours at a time, and then spending my days in bed with a pain in my chest that wouldn’t go away. I would have days where I couldn’t stop crying and shaking, ultimately just not feeling at all like myself. I knew that when it was time for my Thesis, I wanted my project to be based on my experience with anxiety and one’s mental health, and that’s exactly what I did.