Chloe Halstead

It is always interesting to see how students approach assignments differently. Recently we’ve posted on overcoming limitations to produce work. Be it physical, situational or mental. Chloe Halstead, a photography student, is an example of someone who has answered an assignment in a unique way whilst using her situation as a tool, a vehicle rather than a hurdle to make her art.
First watch the video;

The assignment criteria were to capture eight photos each showing how the different variations of light could create and enhance the following features. Shape, Colour, Texture, Form
Chloe enjoys making work with a theme in mind, she finds it motivating, inspiring, and there is a narrative in her work combining sound, image, and text.  She has been exploring this as she progresses through the course.
To help understand the piece, Chloe has ME. I asked her if the gemstone was a metaphor for her illness and if she was the girl in the video.  I was interested in the link between her photography and ME.
The gemstone is a metaphor for many things and definitely is tied with my own story. I may not be cured but photography and art (especially through the OCA) brought colour back into my life which was black and white, a world of pain and misery. The OCA gives me a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. The fact that a place like the OCA exists is just magic to me.  
It’s surprising but so many people don’t believe in the illness ME, even some in the medical profession. They put it down to it all being in our heads and that has made the battle of ME something even harder. I’d like people to understand it more, I’m thinking of sending it to some ME groups I’m a member of. It would be good to get some awareness for it. 
I know there are a few mistakes in the video (mainly the guitar as I’ve only been playing a few weeks) but that in itself is also symbolic. At the beginning the music is jerky and twangy because it shows how the illness takes it’s toll, I can’t hold my arms to play the guitar but at the end it’s stronger.
Visit Chloe’s blog here