Photographer Catherine Williams is VIVA’s Guest Artist for September!

Artist Statement

 Catherine Williams explores the social conundrum of wanting to be seen while also wanting to remain anonymous. Experimenting with light and composition in photography, she uses herself as a model to grapple with this question of visibility.

For years Catherine focused on charcoal portraits and facilitated a successful life drawing group. The interaction with the other artists and the models was her driving force. During the pandemic, when the group couldn’t meet, she began experimenting with photography, using her phone to take self-portraits and falling in love with the process. At first, discomfort in front of the camera led Catherine to leave her face out of her images, but she soon embraced anonymity as a powerful form of self-expression. For 6 months of the year, the trunk of her 1982 Cadillac Fleetwood is full of props. It’s her good luck charm, happy place, and supporting character when she’s out shooting.

Catherine answers some fun questions:

How did you come to focus on your current subject?

I have always loved drawing people. For years I focused on charcoal portraits and facilitated a successful life drawing group. The interaction with the other artists and the models was my driving force. During the pandemic, our group couldn’t meet and my creative spark began to dim. I began to experiment with photography, using my phone to take self-portraits thinking I would draw from the photos, but I fell in love with the photography process and drawing began to fall to the wayside. At first, I would eliminate my face in the images purely due to discomfort in front of the camera, but I soon learned the anonymity was a powerful way to express myself.

Who or what has strongly influenced your work?

It’s difficult to narrow it down to a few, but Francesca Woodman, Sarah Moon and Cindy Sherman are huge influences. Art history, especially the feminist element, is a passion of mine. 

 What does your studio look like?

For 6 months of the year, the trunk of my 1982 Cadillac Fleetwood is full of props. I consider it my good luck charm when I’m out shooting. It’s my happy place and a supporting character in many of my images. A collection of high heels and vintage clothing is also integral.

- Steven’s studio