Deirdre A. Power

The relationship between an artist and their chosen subject matter is a vital factor in shaping the motive behind an artwork

The relationship between an artist and their chosen subject matter is a vital factor in shaping the motive behind an artwork. For the viewer, analysing the subject matter reveals the artistic intent - be it part of a collective consciousness or a communication of deeper, more personal attitudes. Finding a subject worth exploring is the lifeblood of the creative process, so much so, that some artists gravitate toward ethical and moral issues. On first acquaintance, Deirdre A. Power's photographs seem to exist within this sphere, forcing a prejudicial view, whereby the people photographed appear as socially marginalised or disadvantaged without a clear context being presented. Power has photographed the elderly and "bum" tenants (as one subject described himself) in their kitchens and bedrooms in New York City, where she worked as a bar tender. This relationship one assumes allowed her to form acquaintances or friendships; from this, the impression of invasive or exploitative photography diminishes somewhat, once the feeling that the artist was welcome in these homes begins to grow. That said, the abiding atmosphere is one of disillusionment and loneliness, where people seem to be living with dwindling memories and dreams. The fly-on-the-wall style of these photographs documents without necessarily drawing conclusions or passing commentary. The pristine glossy finish casts a metaphorical veneer over the subjects themselves. This could be interpreted as either a window for sharing in aspects of these people's lives or a spy-hole for dissecting them.The question remains, is this a privilege or an imposition? Exhibition ended.