In 2007, I embarked on a journey to liberate my voice through singing lessons, seeking to free not just the sound but also my expression. This path quickly took an unexpected turn when, after a particularly discouraging class, I turned to my camera as a tool for introspection.
I was convinced that visualizing the physical hindrance within my body could be transformative. However, capturing the space between my sternum and throat led me to use my camera in a way akin to spraying perfume of deliverance on the zone of profound transformation from breath to speech. This exploration resulted in a poignant self-portrait that sparked the creation of a series of 150 neck’s portraits. The turning point came when the series flight back from New York, Berlin, London. The wear and tear on the prints from these travels inspired a new phase of creation. Instead of discarding the damaged works, I embraced their imperfections, engaging in a process of physical alteration that included sanding, scratching, and painting. Drawing inspiration from Bacon to Soulages, the neck became to me a canvas for exploring the interplay of light and shadow, the gender natural fluidity. The objectivity of the photography constantly reveals the dual expressions of vulnerability and strength in both feminine and masculine forms. Ultimately, my work process became a cyclical journey of reinvention, that is still reshaping my relationship to human beings.
About Pauline Thomas
Pauline Thomas is a photographer, visual artist, designer, and entrepreneur with a rich educational background, holding master’s degrees from Gobelins and the Decorative Art School of Paris. She has collaborated with video art pioneer Michel Jaffrennou, who has been acclaimed by Catherine Millet of Artpress. Throughout her 20-year career, she has skillfully balanced her artistic pursuits with her role in creativity and collective intelligence, founding the design school Le Laptop and publishing her book.
Pauline’s early involvement with her father’s collective in 2002 marked the beginning of her artistic journey. Since 2007, her photographic series “Gorgeous” has stood as a testament to her talent, receiving seven awards, including two gold medals at PX3 Paris and an honorable mention at the Lucie Awards in New York. The series’ acclaim was further solidified when Elisabeth Sussman, a curator at the Whitney Museum, awarded her the third prize at the Annual Juried International Competition in New York. This series has been exhibited in over 30 cities worldwide, including Paris, London, Berlin, Sydney, New York, Marseille, Venice, Kiev, and Madrid, and has been featured at fairs like Berliner Liste and The Other Art Fair in Brooklyn.
‘Fabienne D’ was included in Elssie Ansareo’s project “El Observatorio” at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. In 2013, the Belfast Photography Festival chose ‘Genevieve P’ as a key visual for the event, and it was also featured in Abridged magazine. Recently, the future Museum of Avant-Garde in Switzerland acquired ‘Linda M,’ further solidifying Pauline’s presence in the international art scene.
In addition to her artistic success, Pauline has integrated her creative vision into the entrepreneurial realm. The founding of Le Laptop, a design school that fosters creativity and collective intelligence, is a clear example of her ability to blend her artistic interests with educational and business initiatives.
Pauline Thomas has proven to be a multifaceted artist whose work transcends borders and disciplines. Her ability to balance her artistic career with her role in design and education makes her a prominent figure in the contemporary art world. With a trajectory that spans international exhibitions and multiple recognitions, Pauline continues to leave an indelible mark on the global art scene.[Official Website]
