i'm a dirty dish

Jessica Bruah, Untitled #4 from "Stories", 2003

Artist Statement - "My body of work titled “Stories” began when I decided to merge my love for fiction with my interest with photography. I began to see each image as its own visual narrative. Because the scenarios depicted are vague and bizarre, the viewers have to interpret each story for themselves. Each photograph contains an anonymous character, seemingly unaware of the lens, whose face is never shown. Although I am playing the dual role of photographer and subject, these self-portraits do not concern the notion of self but rather the idea of constructing reality. Every image is carefully assembled, aided by costumes, props, studio lighting, and posing. All these elements, along with the manipulation of a view camera, bring a surrealistic and often amusing quality to the images. In addition to fiction, I draw inspiration from film and any work that discusses gender, identity, and/or domesticity." - Jesica Bruah.

I love the notion of creating stories with photographs, and especially when the I relate to the stories on a personal or psychological level. This type of photography is probably the most intriguing to me, especially when the photographs are beautiful, as are all of Bruah's images. This image, in particular, seemed to not only catch my eye with it's beautiful composition and bright green colors [my favorite color], but seemed to tell a bit of my story at my current position in life. As you all know, I am a professor, which means summers off. I know, some of you are thinking, how could that be bad, right? Well, summers off is wonderful, yes, but as it turns out, summers off also includes eating more meals at home. Now, I love this. We have an amazing garden this year, with lots of fresh veggies, so I enjoy being able to cook a lot [as opposed to the school year when life is crazy and my hubby and I do most of it together]. However, I have come to find out, that all of this eating at home, also requires a lot more dishes to clean. I've realized that I'm cleaning the kitchen at least three times a day now. It seems like it's all I am ever doing. Eat, clean. Eat, clean. Eat, clean.

This image is a wonderful representation of that story. Is it possible for a domestic chore [be it dishes, ironing, whatever] to so consume our daily life that we in a way "become" that chore? Am I becoming a dirty dish? [oh no, look out world. art professor turns dirty dish. can she still maintain her career?]