Far From Bound- Brick Lane Gallery
Far from ‘Bound’
I stood talking to Anthony David
King (Photographer) at the preview night of ‘Photography Now’ at The Brick Lane
Gallery. As I listened to his replies to my questions, I could not help but
watch as his subject worked the room. Her Smile beaming up as she sat in her
wheelchair, making sure that she greeted her guest and thanked visitors for
their comments.
Anthony’s pieces that are on
preview until 24th February centre around Samona Naomi
Williams, a young vibrant film director. Her energy fills the room on this
particular night, but not every day is as glamorous as this. In 2009 she was diagnosed
with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome III, a rare connective tissue disorder. Her
symptoms include severe pain, excessive weakness and organ dysfunction. There
is no known cure for this debilitating condition and symptoms are managed with
a concoction of medication. The condition is known to worsen over time.
What intrigued me was how they worked with this
condition. Not knowing how Samona will be feeling or how long she can work for each day, how did they manage to produce ‘Bound’
and how did they come up with the ideas for each picture?
“This project has taken longer than originally
thought, having known Samona since teenage years; it’s as much a journey for me
as well as her. She’s a great friend and with that in mind my priority is her health,
so if arrived and everything is ready to shoot; the moment she feels unwell we
stop.” Since falling ill, she struggles
with simple everyday tasks such as taking a shower or making a cup of tea. She is
confined to a wheelchair when she goes out due to weakness, dizziness, a heart
condition and pain when she walks.
There is a lot of planning and we talk almost every
day so I know how she’s feeling and if she will endure a shoot. The themes for
each photo comes from our talks and hearing what her body is going through,
what she is thinking and with the photo ‘Gold’ how she is seen (or how I see
her). It’s a collection that documents her moods over the period of this
illness.
Walking around I hear a few interpretations about the
pieces: ‘Gold’, ‘Fragile’ and ‘Bed’. One
couple first looked on and took some of the pieces for face value, then the
read the description beside each one and their perspective change. Without a doubt the subject is stunning, but
what this collection shows is how extraordinary you can be. What you can do
when you believe that nothing can hold you back. A perfect example was the Paralympics last summer.
Now take a look and follow the path of this artist and
his model or maybe we could call her an athlete for Ms Williams possesses the qualities
of one. Strength, agility and endurance.
As I stand and watch her across the room, I see her as
a super woman.
The Brick lane Gallery The Annexe
93-95 Sclater St,
E16HR
93-95 Sclater St,
E16HR
Until 24th
Feb 2013 : Other photographers included.
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