Haylee Anne

Swooning over lush National Geographic landscapes for years inspired me at an early age, alerting my subconscious that I was to be a photographer. Upon my entrance into the BFA program for Photography at Montclair State University, my intent was to hone my skills and focus successfully on travel imagery. However, this training sparked my conscious with new ideas, themes, and image making techniques. I was inundated with a zest to create. Now, women, water, and special processes are my main dig. It is my desire as a young artist to enhance and support feminist and bodily dialogue with images that interact with people and settings that may at times appear unnerving, but lovely.
Since the beginning of my photographic career, I have had a sensitive understanding of my work and mission at all times. This year I was awarded the honor of receiving the 2013 Excellence of Artistry Award, presented by the Kennedy Center, the VSA, and Volks- wagen of America. Accolades such as this fuel my desire to constantly create new, thought provoking images.
I have often delved into creating photographs based on portraying and critiquing societal implications; particularly, the current state of women, gender, and bodies. In many cases the very mention of words feminism, memory, sexual fluidity, and bodily discussion can leave a bad taste in the mouths of many. Often, these concepts leave us lost and con- fused. But, well established artistʼs like Cindy Sherman, and her contemporary followers such as Robyn Cumming, Deborah Kass, and Polly Borland have reversed that notion and have been continuing this ever necessary discussion. It is my desire as a young artist to add to this dialogue with images that interact with bodies and settings that are unnerving, but lovely.