ABOUT
From a 2012 Interview with Drink Black Water
"The work of Conor Doherty captivates the viewer as eyes travel from
model to landscape to still product imagery. A collection of photos
touched with the perfect lighting, beautiful forms and a type of
minimalism achieved best by a true artist."
Full interview here: DrinkBlackWater
Q. An individual’s work is often influenced by the lens through which
they see life. Will you share with us an experience from your life
which has contributed to shaping your ‘lens’?
It is hard to pinpoint a specific experience, but in general having strong
female figures in my life has definitely influenced my approach.
Growing up it was my mother who saw great value in the arts and
made creativity and exposure to many art forms a priority for my two
sisters and me. Some of my closest friends in my adolescence and as
a young adult were female. I’ve seen many women close to me
struggle with body image, eating disorders, and unfortunately some
have been the victims of violence and sexual aggression. This has
shaped the lens through which I see life. The objectification of women
in fashion culture and adverting is so pervasive we are often blind to it.
Nevertheless, I see the overuse of this imagery as toxic. Women are
too often photographed as sex objects and nothing more, presented in
subjective poses: lying on their backs, on all fours, heads back with
mouths open, eyes dead. It’s an antiquated view of what’s feminine
and sexy and although it is not ubiquitous in the industry, it is far from
rare. I try to offer a different approach in my imagery.
"The work of Conor Doherty captivates the viewer as eyes travel from
model to landscape to still product imagery. A collection of photos
touched with the perfect lighting, beautiful forms and a type of
minimalism achieved best by a true artist."
Full interview here: DrinkBlackWater
Q. An individual’s work is often influenced by the lens through which
they see life. Will you share with us an experience from your life
which has contributed to shaping your ‘lens’?
It is hard to pinpoint a specific experience, but in general having strong
female figures in my life has definitely influenced my approach.
Growing up it was my mother who saw great value in the arts and
made creativity and exposure to many art forms a priority for my two
sisters and me. Some of my closest friends in my adolescence and as
a young adult were female. I’ve seen many women close to me
struggle with body image, eating disorders, and unfortunately some
have been the victims of violence and sexual aggression. This has
shaped the lens through which I see life. The objectification of women
in fashion culture and adverting is so pervasive we are often blind to it.
Nevertheless, I see the overuse of this imagery as toxic. Women are
too often photographed as sex objects and nothing more, presented in
subjective poses: lying on their backs, on all fours, heads back with
mouths open, eyes dead. It’s an antiquated view of what’s feminine
and sexy and although it is not ubiquitous in the industry, it is far from
rare. I try to offer a different approach in my imagery.
Candis Alicia Hickman, Drink Black Water, November 2012
| CONOR DOHERTY |