“SELF-EMPLOYED” responds to the increasing lack of acting opportunities since the actors' strikes in the US. To cope with the frustration and anxiety that unemployment can cause, I use these feelings to fuel my creativity. Inspired by Cindy Sherman, I employ myself as an art director, actor, lighting designer, makeup artist, prop designer, photographer and editor. These self-portraits bring together two of my passions: acting and art history. Like Kathy Acker, I juxtapose different art forms to create new, original content. Each photograph is close enough to the authentic portrait to suggest it but with personal touches that make it unique. By fixing clear and specific parameters - DIY, low budget and limited time for the conception of each piece - and embracing the ‘cheap and cheerful’ approach, I also found humour in the work.
