A model-facing overview of the intent, themes, imagery, and conceptual world behind the work of Rab Townsend.
Ideally, this page would serve as enough to get us on the same page about what kind of work I want to create together.
I take artistic, nude photos that express big emotions. These big, exaggerated expressions might feel silly to act out, but in still images, they can often look real and powerful.
It is important to me that the emotions shown and the tone of the images confront the viewer with discomfort about their sexualization of nude bodies. We should not be afraid to use "ugly" or unflattering poses.
I do not want the model to be a blank canvas for viewers to project their emotions onto. Rather, I would like the images to deliver specific messages. I try to make my images express themes of how we engage with oppression, specifically surrounding feminine rage and feelings of helplessness in a world that seems to keep getting worse.
To help express these ideas, I have developed a narrative concept: the model takes on the role of a persecuted witch who then calls on a cosmic entity for help or revenge. In time, it becomes clear that this entity is indifferent to humanity and will destroy everything. The model’s role is to engage with that imagined presence, as if it is just out of frame.
For reference, here are links to my portfolio and something like a moodboard.
An early inspiration was Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Stills series, but I am also inspired by surrealist psychological horror media like Twin Peaks and Silent Hill, as well as occult symbolism and the iconography of the tarot.
I like to capture strong emotions that show through both the face and the body. As such, I am not looking for statuesque poses and stoic facial expressions.
I would like the images to capture the mystery and discomfort of a bad dream, with some unseen horror or hope hiding just out-of-frame. I like dualities, like presenting the subject as both victor and victim.
I hope viewers will relate to the model’s expressions and that they will be drawn into the mystery of the images. And if they are not, I suppose the best we can hope for is that they at least like naked people and the colour purple.
I see nudity as a clean slate, and a distillation of the subject's natural energy, regardless of gender or sex.
There is a lot of cultural baggage around nude bodies, and while that does not need to be rejected outright, I prefer that this baggage is not the core subject of the image.
I like to think of nudity in art as a rejection of the cultural norms and baggage tied to being a person in the everyday world. A rejection of the world of the patriarchy, fashion, and consumerism.
I want to focus instead on the emotions and expressions that can only be achieved with each subject's unique, individual, and distinctive physical form.
For that reason, I prefer not to shoot lingerie, as it carries its own particular sexualized connotations, it is unnatural to wear, and it subtracts from the timeless otherworldliness that I am trying to capture.
The nudity should reflect a primal, back-to-nature instinct. Consider the image of dancing around a fire or fairy circle.
The images are meant to be portents of doom: missives from a hidden world within the world that hint at an ancient dread that we all feel. Some horrible truth that could save us from all our follies and the worldliness of our world by destroying it. Each image shows someone standing on the edge of an abyss of knowledge that it hurts to know.
It could be a metaphor, maybe!
I imagine the model portraying a witch-like character. Maybe they do not know that they are a witch yet. Maybe they are in the process of discovering it.
This character is being hunted or persecuted, and escapes to a secluded mountain, forest, swamp, or cave.
There, they call upon a cosmic entity that exists within a vibrantly coloured void. It is drawn to them by the strength of their emotions and vulnerabilities.
However, the entity is both dangerous and chaotic. It is therefore both frightening and overwhelming. It cannot be controlled, and it has no interest in human matters. It will destroy everything, and this witch might see that destruction as a greater good.
When I say “witch” I don't mean Halloween costumes!
It could mean a person who manipulates or is exposed to an occult or supernatural power, but in this context, I am also thinking about the persecution of women at the hands of the church and the puritans throughout history. I am thinking of the kind of person who might have been burnt at the stake in the 16th century for making medicines.
Apocalypticism in the sense that despite how much we may value our attachments in this world, that there may not be any merit left to justify saving it, even if we had the power to do so.
Feminine rage in a broad sense, as an expression of the frustration and depression of being subjugated, abused, disregarded, questioned, and burdened by male or patriarchal interests. That may not always look like obvious anger. It could also manifest as helplessness, hopelessness, grief, defiance, contempt, exhaustion, and so on.
The Void as a metaphor for self-actualization. It is the terror of confronting your own fragilities and meaninglessness, becoming empowered by doing so, and facing unforeseen and devastating consequences of using that power.
Don't worry if you haven't heard of these, but if you have, or if you want to take the time to look them up, it may help! I think the shared connection between all of them is that there is a layer of hidden meaning and mystery about them. There is often an inevitable and sudden presence of death or horror that is unexplained, and explaining it would kind of ruin the vibe. Some just have a pervasive feeling of dread running through them, which is also something I like!
Thanks for taking the time to read this!