[The New Regular] Hailley Fayle ft. Nienke Izurieta | The Art of Response
Altered image by Hailley Fayle in response to Issue 11 cover image by Nienke Izurieta.
“There is a saying: ‘every portrait you take is a self-portrait.’ For the most part, I think that rings true. It’s human to want to connect, but I think it goes a bit deeper than that. Humans want to be seen, to be known, and to be loved. Photography has an incredibly powerful way of breaking down barriers and exposing the most vulnerable parts of ourselves.”
- Nienke Izurieta from Jennifer Musgrave’s article “Photographic Restoration of the Self” [p.6 in Issue 11: Psyche]
I think the same can be said when we find a piece of art that speaks to us on a personal level. It can jog old memories or become a symbol for part of our own story. In my mind, that’s the magic of art. How interesting is it that, based on our own human experience, we can interpret another’s work completely differently than they had intended?
As a photographer myself, Nienke’s work and words resonate with me. While creating this altered image it dawned on me as to why I was inspired to add fresh flowers to the hairline of Nienke’s subject. It made me think of something I had written in a journal some years ago: “I believe that with the death of every winter struggle comes a reawakening of a strong spring. I've learned that I can make flowers grow in even the coldest parts of my consciousness where I once thought lay a graveyard of self-esteem.” I had seen a part of myself in her work.
Nienke Izurieta’s original cover image for Issue 11 - Psyche.
I’m in a vulnerable place right now, as are many of us but we’re learning to adapt and grow both in our professional and personal lives. With this work, I envision overcoming something tough while being seen and heard by another. You feel supported, which makes you feel loved and this creates space in our minds for positive thoughts to blossom.
This is the cycle of cultivating connections.
I see you Nienke. I see your ability to grow by capturing the human experience of others—a goal I pursue in my own practice. It’s not always easy to see yourself in others, but it’s always worth it. Thank you for allowing me to respond to your cover image and share the results. I await your next captivating creation.
All my love and light,
Hailley Fayle
CreatedHere Content Developer & Photographer
See more of Nienke Izurieta’s photography in Jennifer Musgrave’s “Photographic Restoration of the Self” [p.6 in CreatedHere Issue 11: Psyche ] and visit her website at http://nienkeizurieta.com/ to see more of her work.