The work displayed at this show was an ongoing project that Ross began in his degree and will continue to build upon post-graduation. The work is entitled ‘Express Yourself’.

Express Yourself

By Ross Mead

Expressions are a part of every human interaction. Subtle or obvious, any expression could dictate a different series of events to transpire. Do we ever really focus on this, though? This collection of work focuses less on the model in question, but more the extreme conditions that he has put his face through to create these bold, sometimes unnerving, contortions. See every strain in his neck muscles, the wrinkles around the tearful eyes, the veins bulging round about his forehead, get as close as you like – you may never get the chance to in person. Being a series of self-portraiture, this project grows to be more about the detail and the manifestation rather than the identity. To a viewer, how relevant is the photographer, ordinarily, to a photograph? Exposing the photographer, myself, in such an audacious and shameless way comments on that as well. These images are me choosing to act rather than being acted upon. Agency: this was my choice, no inhibitions, no holding back.