Vee Speers : Untitled #32, The birthday Party Series

Untitled #32, The birthday Party Series

Vee Speers

(2011)

Photograph

(image from Vee Speers Website)

Vee Speers work moves us into the more chilling depictions of childhood. This photo represents one of many “childhood dreams”, linked to an imaginary birthday party, with the game of dress-up lingering at play. The girl pictured has one story of many, yet also represents a greater story of the memories of childhood. As she back, her body sandwiched by the wall and the dolls that she embraces, and her knees seem interlocked in a coy manner. Her body position seems shy, while her facial expression is intense. Through this portrait, Speers is commenting on the “side of childhood that is not carefree or clichéd” (Speers, 2011). While the girl here is seemingly displaying little through her facial expression, besides leaving the viewer with a blank stare and pursed lips, she is obviously contradicting the image of the happy child that most people associate with childhood. Although her expression seems blank, it is in fact simply full of emotions that we are not used to being portrayed by children. We are not typically accustomed to the child’s capability to express a narrative other than the ideal. I think Speers is trying to portray a more common but un-recognized story of a child; one that has the ability to express emotions like the one here, that isn’t tied to the stereotypical image of the child we all 'know and love'. It appears: "Speers'... fascination with the trickery of appearance, and the power of masks, costumes and outward signals from inner worlds" is deeply set within this photograph (Casper, 2011). I even think that the curled hair and covered chest that would be otherwise exposed explore a sexual theme. The child is obviously capable of emotions and expressions that reach beyond the mundane image of the child society has created, and I sort of think a sexual gaze is at play here as well, though not in the perverted sense of being inviting; but that the child is aware of her body and expressions.

Artist Biography: Vee Speers Website

Exhibitions: The Birthday Party, Nordic Light International Festival of Photography (2011), The Birthday Party (2010)

References: Casper, J. (2011) The Birthday Party. Lens Culture. Retrieved From.