Emily, A Self Portrait by Joseph O'Malley

Emily, A Self Portrait is a photo series by non-binary photographer Joseph O'Malley (they/she), which explores identity, gender, and body image by using many separate images to create what they refer to as a "composite self portrait." The concept is based on the idea that this series of images featuring models of different genders and bodies acting out scenes of the artists’ life can together provide a more accurate depiction of the self than any actual photo of Joseph, with their own face and body. Joseph has described their relationship to the project by saying "Emily is me. In many ways, I have always been her, and in others, I never will be. The series is an opportunity for people to look at the many different faces of this character, and, in doing so, finally see me." The models are styled in a some of Joseph's own clothes, and photographed in the real-life locations Joseph inhabits, alongside Joseph's actual friends and family. When displayed in a gallery setting, the photos are hung as large prints, surrounded by items from Joseph’s life, and accompanied by a sound design composition of original instrumental music and dialogue recordings from the photo subjects, recorded to loop forward and in reverse as viewers move back and forth through the scenes. Depending on which direction the music is playing, different voices can be heard. Samples of this installation can be seen on Joseph's website at josephomalleyarts.com/emily