Themes & Intent
A model-facing overview of the intent, themes, imagery, and conceptual world behind the work of Rab Townsend.
What I am trying to do
Ideally, this first page would be enough to get us aligned 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.
What I want out of these images
Inspirations
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've put a list of some of the media that inspires me at the end of this document.
Goals
I want the images to challenge the viewer’s attitudes and behaviours toward women, non-binary people, and others who are read as feminine. By inserting strong negative emotion through both face and body into artistic nude photography, I hope to confront viewers with the subject’s humanity and challenge their instinct to objectify.
As such, I am not looking for statuesque poses and stoic facial expressions. These are commonplace, and serve only to sustain the existing culture around artistic nudity.
The images should be saying something. I try to include a thematic caption that contextualizes each image within the intended lens.
I hope that despite being challenged by the big emotions and bleak themes, viewers will relate to the model’s expressions and be drawn into the mystery and world of the images. If they're not, I suppose the best we can hope for is that they at least like naked people and the colour purple.
I like dualities and contrasts. Like framing the subject as both the victim and the victor.
While I shoot nudes, nudity is not the subject. Emotion is.
I see nudity as a clean slate, and a distillation of the subject's natural energy, regardless of gender or sex.
How I think about nudity in art
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.
Portents of doom
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!
Witchcraft & The Void
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.
The meaning of “witch”
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.
Black Slime
Recently, I have begun to incorporate a homemade black slime into my work.
But using it is 100% optional!
What does the slime represent?
To me, the slime is not simply a prop or special effect. It has elevated and added new layers of meaning to my concept.
In terms of that concept, the slime imagery is representative of transformation, as the subject allies with the entity and becomes one with the void. So, in that respect, it is about achieving dissolution and transcendence of the self. The character transforms from the oppressed to the new and morally justified oppressor.
While the model's naked body shows them at their most human, the slime is a catalyst for transformation into something more feral, wild and beyond human.
What is it made of?
The slime is a simple mix of water and a natural plant-based thickener called Methyl Cellulose. Typically, I use iron oxide dust to colour it black, which is skin-safe and does not stain. However, it is best not to get in the eyes or mouth (or anywhere with a mucous membrane). That said, food-safe colouring options are also available (black cocoa; food dye).
What about cleanup?
Anyone brave enough to cover themselves in slime for my art is welcome to brave my shower as well. I will provide a clean towel and wash cloth. While the slime tends to come out of hair easily, it can take a little work to get it off the body, so I am prepared to give up a half-hour of scheduled shoot-time for the model to take their shower, if time is of concern.
Images and Emotions to Keep in Mind
Imagery
- Visuals that could come from a dream or a nightmare, with vivid colours and violent emotions.
- Some kind of neon, sexy, violent, scary nightmare; subtle and unclear.
- Uncomfortable juxtapositions
- The model's reaction to some unseen and indescribable thing. Something terrible or wonderful just out of frame.
- Something eldritch or Lovecraftian, in the sense that looking upon it might drive one insane.
Emotions
- Terror
- Anxiety
- Dread
- Regret
- Rage
- Loss
- Disdain
- Shame
- Confidence
- Desire
- Unfulfillable longing
- Hopelessness
Major Themes
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 the dissolution of the self. By confronting and overcoming the terror of one's own fragility and meaninglessness, one becomes empowered and must face the unforeseen and devastating consequences of wielding that power.
Posing Themes
- Control and lack of control
- Connectedness with one’s body
- Disconnection from one’s body (dissociation)
- Sensuality as dangerous power, and as a means of self-expression and actualization
- Dual selves
- Freedom
- Restraint
- Impending doom
- Overcoming suffering
- Suffering while overcoming
- Surreal, dreamlike spaces
Media with similar themes or atmosphere
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!
- Silent Hill (video games)
- Twin Peaks (TV series)
- "Untitled Film Stills" and "Centerfolds" series by Cindy Sherman
- Folk Horror in general
- Occultism / Mysticism / Wicca
- Tarot Cards
- Films and TV by Director David Lynch ("Lynchian" things)
- Grimm’s Fairytales
- Uzumaki by Junji Ito (Manga)
- Bloodborne (video game)
- 1899 (TV series)
- Dark (TV series)
- The SCP Foundation (fiction)
- Archive 81 (podcast / TV series)
- The VVitch (and most other films by Robert Eggers)
- Sleepy Hollow (the Tim Burton film)
- Donnie Darko (film by Richard Kelly)
- Delicatessen (film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet)
- Lovecraftian Cosmic Horror (fiction)
Thanks for taking the time to read this!