The Snapshot Sessions: re-framing the self
In association with Body Positive Wellington
Thistle Hall Gallery 16-22 February, 2015
Curated by Steve McVey
The Snapshot Sessions are a series of photography workshops devised and run by Steve McVey in which participants reflect
on aspects of their concept of self. The resulting work from the most recent workshop series has been edited and put
together for this exhibition.
Photographs have the power to shape memories of situations and circumstances, which can alter our self-concept
(positively or negatively) and alter future trajectories of self-concept and self-presentation.
By reinterpreting old photographs without the limitations of anchored perspectives and taking time to slow down and
really look and engage with our current environments in new ways, behavioural aspects of self-preservation,
self-presentation and self-concept are revealed. This can be problematic when determining the ‘true’ self as a fixed
entity rather than an ongoing and evolving one, informed, influenced and transformed by all we encounter and experience.
As such aspects of self-identity can gradually be steered in positive ways and incorporated into individual habitus.
While complete in themselves “The Snapshot Sessions” are part of ongoing research by Steve which attempts to blend
social and psychic systems into the world of meaning and material through the practice of photography.
The aim is to envisage how systemic processes facilitate cultural wide expectations on individual and communal behaviour
that allow increases in complexity while keeping stability.
In this series from October to December 2014, ten supporters of the HIV charity Body Positive in Wellington were taught
technical aspects of photography and introduced to renowned NZ and International photographers. The weekly technical and
conceptual assignments led to the production of over 50 images each using 35mm film. Three images per photographer have
been selected for this exhibition.
All works on show are available for purchase. All proceeds will go towards fundraising for Body Positive charity, which
helps break down isolation and builds a sense of community for people living with HIV in New Zealand.
ENDS