Picture You, Picture Me by Emer Gillespie

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Red Shoes

2 of 18

Couch

3 of 18

Bed Wrap

4 of 18

Kite Flying

5 of 18

Bed Jumping

6 of 18

Teeth Brushing

7 of 18

Reading

8 of 18

Classroom

9 of 18

Make-up

10 of 18

Bench

11 of 18

Hair

12 of 18

Tree Climbing

13 of 18

Bubbles

14 of 18

Sun Cream

15 of 18

Cooking

16 of 18

Festival

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Morning

18 of 18

Dress-up

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Picture you, Picture me

Picture You, Picture Me is a collaborative and explorative portrait project with my daughter Laoisha. Born in Galway Ireland in 2002, Laoisha has Downs Syndrome. As a consistent subject in my work, this series has naturally evolved from her curiosity and urge to stand on the other side of the camera, taking more control over me as the subject, and of the images taken. By directing each other through role-play and instruction, we decide how the other stands, which direction to face and even facial expressions, creating a playful environment where the camera becomes more than an artistic tool, but an instrument of amusement. The images are almost secondary to the experience, a fortunate by-product of the session shared.

By ceding a certain amount of authorial control, the resulting work creates an environment in which to explore the themes of collaborative creativity, child autonomy, trust and the relationship between subject and photographer. Is technical ability a prerequisite for creative control? Does the photographers participation as a subject influence the narrative? Can a reciprocal experience empower one to become a more trusting and genuine subject? These are just a few of the possible considerations this series instigates.

Picture You, Picture Me began as a curious journey for me and my daughter, and over the past three years has become a very personal documentation of our growth as individuals and as a family. This is our family album, one where I can see Laoisha grow as well as take ownership of her life and teh camera. The project will continue to evolve as Laoisha’s visual language naturally develops, and will continue on until she either loses the desire to be the subject, or no longer wants me in the picture.

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Emer Gillespie

Born 1980, Ireland

Currently lives in Brighton, UK

www.emergillespie.com

emer@emergillespie.com

0044 (0)79 28101525

Education

2013 PGCE in Post-compulsary education

2009 MA Photography, London College of Communications

2007 PG Cert Photography (1st) Central Saint Martins

2005 BA (Hons) Textiles (1st), GMIT, Ireland

2003 BA Fine Art (1st), Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland

Solo Exhibitions & Projects

2011 Home Narratives, RúaRed Gallery, Dublin

2008 Trains,The Space, Hove

2008 Domestication, 3 and 10 Theatre, Brighton Photo Fringe

2008 Domestication, Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare, Ireland

2008 Domestication,Market House, Mullingar, Ireland

2007 Domestication, The Basement Gallery, Dundalk, Ireland

2006 Exhaust me, Galway Arts Centre, Ireland

Selected Group Exhibitions & Projects

2013   The Space Between: The Lyrical and the Ordinary, V&A Museum of Childhood
2012   Photoville 2012 : FotoVisura's Women in Photography , Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York
2012 Arles Photography Open Salon, Arles, France
2012   Open Now, Gallery of photography, Dublin
2012   Open Now, Belfast Photo Factory, Gallery Nine, Belfast
2011   Altered States, Foley Gallery, New York
2011   Shifting Perspectives, OXO Gallery, Southbank, London
2010 IPA, Best of Show, New York
2010   Home Truths, Brighton Photo Fringe
2010     Fresh Faced and Wild Eyed, Photographers Gallery, London (exh cat)
2010     Slide Nite, Photomonth, Krakow, Poland
2009     Shifting Perspectives, OXO Gallery, Southbank, London (exh cat)
2008     Trick or Treat, Imagine Arts Festival 2008, Waterford, Ireland
2008     XHIBIT 08, Davies Street, University of the Arts London (exh cat)
2008     Artists Film at the Collection, Usher Gallery, Lincolnshire (exh cat)
2007     Strikethrough at The Trafalgar, Trafalgar Square, London. www.strikethrough.org
2007     CROP, Cenral Saint Martins, Postgraduate Show, London (exh cat)
2006     Max5 Festival, Southwark
2006     Document, Millennium Arts building, NUIG, Ireland (exh cat)
2005     Video HM, Armory square, New York.
2005     Co-Lab, Tulca Arts Festival, Galway, Ireland
2005     The Fourth Floor, eNSO, Hynes Yard Car Park, Galway, Ireland
2005     Galway Film Fleadh, short film section, Galway, Ireland (exh cat)
2005     Praxis, Cork City of Culture 2005, Tig Fili Gallery, Cork, Ireland (exh cat)
2005     THE BOOK OF IDEAS, Art scene WAREHOUSE, Shanghai, China

Fellowships, Residencies & Awards

Top finalist in Fotovisura Grant 2013

Chosen as a Shots Young Photographer, 2008

Artist in residency, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, 2005/2006

Bank of Ireland student of the year, Cluain Mhuire Art college, Galway

Public Talks & Lectures

2012 Brighton Arts Forum talk

2009 LCC MA exhibition tour and discussions

2006 Textile 05, Kaunas Art Biennial, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland

2006 My Practice so far, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland

Teaching and Lecturing

2011- Present Photography Lecturer, Sussex Downs College, Lewes, UK

2010 – 2011 Visual Art Developer, Patcham High School, Brighton, UK

2005-2006 Artist in Residence, Cluain Mhuire, Galway, Ireland. Additional tutor to degree and diploma yr students.