TITLE: All Day I Dreamed of You

As an artist who is fascinated by the complex and ever-changing nature of the human experience, I have always been drawn towards exploring the intersection between reality and fantasy. This series of black and white portraits of women is a reflection of this quest to blur the lines between what we perceive to be real and what lies beneath the surface of our consciousness. Each portrait is a composition that captures a moment suspended in time, like a scene from a dream. The women depicted in the series are hyper-realistic, with every detail of their features and body language rendered in detail, light and dark and captured on analogue film. Yet, they also possess an otherworldly quality that sets them apart from ordinary photographs. Through my portraits, I aim to create a sense of familiarity mixed with mystery – each woman is someone we might recognise from our own lives or our collective memories, yet there's an enigmatic quality that draws us in, hinting at a world beyond our usual perceptions. I would also like through these pieces, to recognise the shadow shelf of humanity and the darkness that resides within us all . While my portraits may present a dreamlike vision of beauty and strength, I acknowledge that these qualities are often accompanied by vulnerability and imperfection. By alluding to the mystery and enigmatic qualities of my subjects, I hope to encourage viewers to embrace the complexities of their own emotions and experiences, even those that may be uncomfortable or difficult to face. I seek to invite contemplation and conversation about the full spectrum of the human experience, including our darker impulses and the hidden aspects of our own selves.

AUTHOR: Romy Maxime (South Africa)