An ambiguous work, in that a selfie is taken of one’s self, for one’s self. A form of self-glorification, narcissism. At the same time usually the purpose is to be seen by others in which case the image taker (the self) is in full control of where and how to publish such an image. However, for this work the image takers did not initiate to take their own image. The challenge here I imagine is to overcome the challenge of fear of being judged, of not being in control – ‘getting over one’s self’.

“The cropped images capture elements of each character which may have been overlooked when viewing the whole image of a face.” – Jeanette Lødøen, artist, specialising in painting, drawing, extended media and photography, Batchelor of Fine Arts, University of Saskatchewan.

I really wanted to get to the core, looking at these portraits from different perspectives – first as a whole, seeing the entire face (or most of it), then focusing on the kiss itself, and lastly, focusing on the eyes and the expression one had while taking this photograph, looking themselves in the eye – or not: the connection a person has with one’s self.

These are real photographs of real people by real people, a moment of their life donated for the purpose of creation. The highest glory – the submission of the self to the self and the letting go of the ego simultaneously.

Love.