Stories in the form of fables, myths and fairy tales have always held a fascination for me and helped me find perspective on my own deepest thoughts and emotions.
The writings of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, combined with my love of stories, inspired me to delve deeper into my unconscious, explore my internal world and translate those thoughts into photomontage images.
Growing up in an artistic family, I was introduced at a young age to Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Aesop’s Fables, and Greek mythology. My father was a performer and he read the stories with such great expression that he made them come to life for me.
I earned a BFA in Studio Art and went on to establish a successful portrait photography studio where I photographed families and events for the next 35 years.
In 2010, I closed the portrait studio to fully embark on my own journey of artistic expression and self-discovery. For years I had been experimenting with double exposures in my darkroom and discovered that my thoughts and feelings were much better illustrated by combining images than they could be through a single image.
I also reconnected with Joseph Campbell’s writings and his hero’s journey (through the Bill Moyer tapes), which led me to Carl Jung. Their thoughts on self-actualization and the unconscious expanded my viewpoint and led me to examine my own inner landscape through archetypes, mythology, fairy tales, and collective memories.
Now, working in my digital darkroom, I continue to create transformative photomontage images and share them with others in gallery shows, publications and online, and you.
I hope that my art continues to resonate with others and provide perspective for each one’s own hero’s journey.
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“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” Carl Jung
Image: The Pearl ©Catharine Carter 2024