The self-portrait has been a significant genre in art history, providing artists with a means of introspection and self-exploration. Throughout the centuries, artists have used the self-portrait to convey meaningful facets of personality, emotion, and experience. These images would often reveal insights into their day to day lives and creative processes. Through the act of creating a “selfie”, artists engage in a dialogue with themselves, exploring the nuances of their own identity. This practice also explores the myriad ways in which they perceive and are perceived by others. In this sense, the selfie becomes a vehicle for self-discovery, sharing, and reflection.
In July of 1999, every morning upon waking up, I committed to taking a photographic image of myself. This specific time of day was intentional. A morning selfie was the most reliable method for capturing an unedited version of my persona. I used a 35mm still film camera. Once each roll was exposed, they were developed at the local photo lab. My goal was to take a picture for 50 consecutive days. The photographs were never exhibited or released. Instead, the final prints were pasted into a DIY scrapbook and then offered as a gift for my mother.
In 2020, I decided to revisit the project and publish some of the photos on social media. With each post, I would add a question about the phenomena of the "selfie" and ask followers to respond in the comments section. Many of the photographs, questions, and comments can be viewed on Instagram at the following handle: @paulamator.
