I found the body of work by Jen Davis, self portrait series really interesting and nothing like I have seen before. It is clear to see the influence of photographer Cindy Sherman, but the style and aim of Jen's photography is totally different. After looking through this project of self portraits that started in 2002 and carried on to 2011, I saw an article on the Daily Mail website explaining why Jen featured herself in this long project. Her self portraits were a exploration of her body, insecurities and her own views of love and beauty, in which she hoped would help her to love her body at the start in 2011, but eventually over the years of developing this project Jen realised she wasn't changing and was still the same 9 years on, which then became a project of inspiring herself to lose weight. Her series
11 years has gone on to become a book and recently exhibited in New York City and showcased in many other places around the world. Unlike other artists who produce self portraits, Jen used hers to understand herself better and become more comfortable within herself. After her epiphany within herself, she undergone a gastric band surgery and rapidly lost 110lb. Her series progressed from her surgery, presenting her weightless and experience. I find her work really her photographs and the stories within them really stunning and fascinating, showing this chapter of her life that began as one thing and ended as something that has changed and led to a positive outcome. I have included some images from Jen's series of work
11 years below.
No. 55 (Last photograph of the series)
No. 26
No. 1 (First image)
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