Benry Fauna

Artist Statement

When I look at the history of portraiture, I find a certain empowerment and sincerity that a portrait carries throughout its longevity. The pang of relatability opens us up to reflect on our own humanity. Nurturing a belief that a portrait ought to bring you closer to yourself. My studio practice has provided a space for self reflection and direct expression. Finding awareness in my grief, insecurities, and unmet desires. Allowing me to carve out imagery of myself that can conjure understanding, compassion, and self confidence.

In giving space to these feelings, I've become better at communicating them with others. Bringing opportunities to create an exchange of ideas and comfort with the people I photograph. I began to collage, sculpt and reshape portraits as a way to ruminate on the relationship we have with our own image. Every fold of fabric shifts our perspective like a heightened emotion obscuring our reality. Beyond making portraits shot on film, I elevate some of the work through digital collage, printing on satin, as well as using epoxy resin to transform portraits printed on linen cotton canvas.