Peaches & Cream Graduate Winner: Marina Mche
This years Peaches and Cream Graduate winner is Marina Mche. In her series ‘Beyond the Norms’ Marina explores social change around gender norms and how we as humans interact with this change and how is developing. Marina presents these women with shaved heads as a celebration of freedom and acceptance while challenging the historical connotations and rejections of this feature. Marina photographs beautiful portraits all while presenting an emotionally charged subject matter.
Hi Marina, congratulations on becoming the graduate winner! To begin with, can you tell us about your background in photography and how you got into it?
Thank you very much! I have been taking photos ever since I was 14, when I got my first compact camera. I took portraits of my sister and friends, I photographed streets of my hometown and the island where I spent summers. It was just a hobby until I enrolled photography course at the School of Applied Arts and Design in Zagreb. I still didn't take it so seriously, I loved taking photographs and I was happy to actively engage in it on a daily basis. After enrolling Fashion Design at the University of Zagreb, I realised photography and moving image were what I want to do and dropped out to study photography at Edinburgh Napier University.
Can you tell us why you decided on making a series about celebrating the freedom of expression in women?
The project primarily interprets the acceptance of change of social and gender norms. I photographed women with shaved heads in order to emphasize this change. I thought about the difference between the historical and contemporary understanding of the trend and how it affected modern society. From being a symbol of disgrace and masculinity to high popularity and even a fashion trend.
Your project ‘Beyond the Norms’ is about self expression and the freedom of gender forms. Do you think photography as a tool is making this idea of fluidity within the sexes more accepted?
Yes and no. It's the power of all the media, not just photography. However, photography has became the most widespread creative tool for expressing one's personal viewpoints and beliefs. Some feel more secure and confident about their sexuality once they discover someone else has openly expressed it in public, while others may feel attracted to sexual experimentation that they previously found unknown. On the other hand, some will not accept sexual fluidity or keep their curiousness in shadow due to limitations usually set by culture, religion and upbringing. I believe everyone gets curious about their sexuality and society started accepting it because of the media (photography).
You use a very muted colour scheme in this project, what led you to this?
It was actually the moment of surprise. I didn't strictly go after these tones. The walls and clothes just happened to be this way and I placed the light far away to get this softness. After the first couple of test shots, I decided to keep everything as it is.
Your project is inspiring women to break the mould of traditional beauty, have any photographers inspired you on the way to this?
Not for this one. I often get inspiration from events, discussions and articles rather than photographers.
There is a lot of pressure being a woman, especially in today’s culture, do you think this project brings forward, or starts a conversation about those difficulties we face?
I'm sure it does. However, I don't think it's THAT difficult to be a woman today in the western world, compared to what it was in the past. It's the representation of how far has society come in terms of understanding freedom of self expression and accepting individualism. This is what people are interested in, because it concerns them as individuals.
You created a short video alongside this project, do you prefer making photographs to video or do you think they compliment each other?
I did a really short piece. It was more of an experiment than a previously planned idea. I am recently more drawn to moving image because it's more than just an image. There is sound, movement...it's something I haven't explored much. I love how video and photography work together.
Has this photographic project come as a response to anything in particular or is it a response to a wider social situation?
It's a kind of my personal response to the trend of shaved heads, in everyday life as well as in media and show business. Hair can hide face features, especially eyes. This way, you see everything and I love seeing everything.
Is portraiture your preferred style of work?
It's hard to tell. I equally engage in portraiture photography like I do in architecture or street photography. I shoot everything that comes to my mind or is around me.
Will you continue to make emotionally charged or politically engaging work like ‘Beyond the Norms’?
Absolutely.
What’s next on the agenda for you now?
At the moment, I am doing some commissioned work and my personal stuff on the side. I am planning on doing some short video pieces and fashion films too.
See more of Marina's work here:
