Family Portraits delves into the intricate relationship between family, self-identity, and the ever-present echoes of history and heritage. Motivated by the absence of family members due to diaspora, separations, and adoptions, I have embarked on an exploration of self-identity rooted in the foundations of my eclectic heritage.

Drawing from an archive of family photographs, my work peels back the layers of personal and collective history. The series comprises a collection of self-portraits meticulously mirroring the clothing and poses of my relatives, employing my own presence as a metaphor for their absence throughout my life.

Shot on analogue film and developed in the darkroom, these photographs emerge as small, evocative black and white prints elegantly framed in a timeless manner. By situating the photographs within a studio setting, I engage in an act of performance, channelling the essence of each family member and embodying their narratives within my own.

This project merges the traditions of classic studio portraiture with the introspective and autobiographical nature of contemporary art photography, inviting viewers to reflect upon their own connections to lineage, the intricate interplay of absence and presence, and the enduring power of family in shaping our sense of self.