Dissertation

At the beginning of being given this module of a dissertation, I had a few ideas in mind; however, they did not seem to have the wow factor. One example was looking at crystals. I use these as a form of healing within practice; however, as pretty as they are, I thought there was not enough research which I could draw on. In addition, I was a little unsure if the idea of a continuation of a previous project of domestic violence and abuse, which I am a survivor of and is a subject close to my heart, could evolve. There was always a risk when doing a project which had been part of your life for a considerable time, how it would affect me. With this in mind and the fact I have slight dyslexia, the challenge of completing this project would always prove to be a difficult task. 

Experiencing this from childhood, I understand entirely how it can define you and impact you for the rest of your life.   By way of using my experiences that are not blocked from my memory, it has been very therapeutic to create not only images but by way of writing a dissertation.  Writing this dissertation has allowed me to re-evaluate my own experiences surrounding this subject but incorporate it into my academic writing and photography.  I have also been able to do extensive research into more well-known photographers, some of whom have experienced domestic violence and abuse in their own lives. Later on, they chose to photograph this subject in documentary-style photography, leading them to be in very dangerous situations.   These photographers have not just catalogued it visually but also interviewed their subjects, some producing videos, as a way of research to help others going through similar experiences.  

Reading between the lines, it was noted that the author’s and/or the photographer’s work would give you the impression that they used it as part of their own healing process or for people close to them who had experienced domestic violence and abuse. By way of researching more deeply into the wider aspects of this subject, including the history, laws, statistics, professional people, genders involved, and children, the results were more devastating than you could imagine, as I found out.

It would seem that despite artists and authors cataloguing this for centuries, as a human race, we are still ashamed of coming forward to admit this still continues to the present day on a worldwide scale. The public seems to have mixed views on the subject of domestic violence and abuse; it can vary from generation, class, location, culture and gender. Women are speaking out more and more about this subject; however, there seems to be little support and understanding towards the male sex and LGBTQIA2S+ community.  As discussed later in the dissertation, services are put in place concerning children and their caregivers, and art therapy is one example.  

When it comes to the families of the victims of this subject, it varies again.  Some families will shake their heads in disbelief; they wonder why they could not leave or chose not to speak to them.  Other families will expect the victim to go to counselling and work it out with their partner or spouse and return to the situation as if nothing is going on.  Bringing children into the equation, some victims’ families will expect them to stay together for the sake of the children, which will impact the children in the long term.  

Unfortunately, suicide and death is more common than you can ever imagine.  Perpetrators of these crimes will fight in court for a crime they believe they are not guilty of.  It leaves questions unanswered as to why and how it has happened.  Close friends and family members are left heartbroken in some cases, whilst members of the public are speechless.  

When capturing my images for this project, I decided to do a continuation of my previous project, namely ‘ Out of the darkness into the light’, which explored abstract images of domestic abuse and violence through the eyes of a victim.  What I had experienced, how it could be captured abstractly.  The previous project had to be in the medium of black and white, which I felt signified the past.  The current project looks to the future and the surrounding factors of moving forward; it is called ‘ Breaking down the barriers’.  It looks at the part of the journey, including triggers, flashbacks and coping mechanisms. Despite considering the medium of black and white, I decided to process the images in colour.  I did note many biased points of view as to why domestic abuse should be in black and white and not colour. There has been a mixed medium used historically for this subject by various artists and photographers.

As before, the images within my artefact were done abstractly to suit all genders in modern life. My research does not just include what is on the surface of domestic violence and abuse; it goes much deeper into understanding the psychological effects of this subject.  The analysis of different interpretations of both artists and photographers opened my eyes and gave me ideas for my own artistic work as well as my academic writing.  I have never been one to follow the crowd and be like everyone else, which is probably why I feel abstract photography works better in this subject.  It does not seem to infringe on the personal life of someone as such; by using my own experiences, the viewer can see something which will relate to themselves in a more meaningful way.  Capturing those images will have a different meaning to every individual. 

I have found this dissertation to be an enormous achievement, both personally and as a professional photographer. I have recognised the person who once was in the corner as a victim is no more. I have climbed to the top of the rugged mountain and reached the top.  Now a survivor, I have been able to produce a body of work together from a visualised aspect and an academic piece of writing that I am immensely proud of.