“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”.
This line is taken from the film the Wizard of Oz inspired the title for my series Not In Kansas. I take inspiration from strong female figures, whether from film, literature or everyday life. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz has always been particularly influential as she was one of the first tenacious female heroines I was introduced to. Her story resonates with me on many different levels, she exuded strength, independence, bravery, wonder, enchantment and vulnerability. Hopefully the viewer will perceive these traits in the character created in my series.
Not In Kansas is a series of constructed narratives which blur the boundaries between fantasy and truth, offering scenarios within which the protagonist wrestles with feelings of confidence, determination and boldness but is conflicted with ideas of isolation, loneliness, detachment and fear.
There is an emotional uncertainty from which the viewer is drawn to interpret the scenario depending upon their own personal perceptions. The images are composed to simulate
a sense of a simultaneous collision of elements of a before or after moment, with a deliberate ambiguity which only the viewer can resolve and further contextualize.
I wanted the series to have a cinematic feel with the locations being an integral part of this. The setting of each image is crucial to the narrative with the mood being accentuated by the outfit and props used to create the final photograph. Locations used in this series include Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and the UK. These are carefully researched and scouted to optimize the visual impact.
Not In Kansas is a consciously color saturated series as a direct reference to the vibrant display of color used to such great effect in the film to create a dreamlike wonderland distinct from the bleakness of reality and to differentiate fantasy from the truth.
As a photographer, I am continually fascinated with the concept of identity and enjoy exploring this through narrative portraiture, seeking to encourage the viewer to ask questions about the work to which ultimately the answers depend on the viewer’s own personal identity and perceptions.
My work is also consciously feminine as I like to draw on inspiration from strong yet vulnerable figures.
I love the creative process from initial concept through to making it all come together in the finished photograph and I’m always excited and challenged to be planning the next image and figuring out how to make it work.
I am very much hands on and resourceful, making props and some of the more elaborate outfits in my photographs, in fact, I made the shoes for Not In Kansas, I feel that this brings an added uniqueness to each image.
Vicky Martin
Vicky Martin (UK) is an award winning fine art photographer. Studying art and photography in the 1990s it was not until 2008 after being awarded a prestigious bursary that she was able to pursue photography professionally. Since then Vicky has had her work published and exhibited nationally and internationally, from Europe to the USA in solo and group shows. Her work continues to garner many awards and nominations including Winner of the Professional Beauty and Fashion Category at the Chromatic Awards 2018, Winner of the All About Photo Magazine Colors issue 2018, Winner of the Single Image in the Professional Fine Art Category at the 12th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards 2018 and Winner of the Professional Fine Art Series at 2016 Fine Art Photography Awards.
