Felicia Simion discovered the iconic photography co-operative, Magnum Photos, at the age of 13. She found their work to be deeply inspiring, and, in that moment, decided to become an artist. Whilst Magnum is renowned for documentary and reportage, Simion’s work exists closer to the line between fiction and reality, and easily floats from one side to another. The fine art images explore themes of family, identity and tradition, and the 2021 series Rewired was created as a way for Simion to address postpartum depression, which left her feeling detached from nature and lacking the sense of peace she’d always felt by escaping the city. Shot in Iceland, the images show the artist tangled in yarn, literally representing the missing connection to the wilderness. Another collection of images, Alternative Selves reflects on how past experiences, pain and trauma shape who we become and how we navigate the future. Each of the images features a figure with their back turned to the camera, leaving the viewer to wonder who they are and what challenges they’ve experiences in their life. In one image, a figure faces a large cut through a yellow background. They hold a pair of scissors behind their back, clearly surveying their own handiwork. Elsewhere, a woman looks at a house that floats in midair on a cloud, a small white bird perched on her shoulder. These mystical figures leave the audience to fill in the story for themselves.
Words: Emma Jacob
All images courtesy of the artist.
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