Seeking Stephanie
The title was derived from a decision I made before attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. My birth first name is Stephanie. In anticipation of relocating to an unfamiliar city, I felt motivated and more comfortable behind the mask of a moniker. Upon arriving in Baltimore, I introduced myself as “Evie”. In many ways there seemed to be an important differentiation between these names with respect to identity. However the role of artist and self has become so intertwined that I no longer feel the differentiation. This merging of identity, personality, and understanding have all come to the surface while shooting these photographs that mark an ending of this four year period of self-discovery. Together these photographs create a diaristic poem that channels self portraiture in many aspects. There is constant confrontation between dual forces, that of the external against that of the internal, spaces of coolness towards moments of warmth, and animalistic tendencies towards the humane.