I was drawn to photography as a child when I was given my first automatic camera aged 9 years. From that day my camera became like an extra limb, I would take my camera to school with me. I love freezing a moment in time through the lens of my camera. I like to look for the interesting in the ordinary; it seems to sharpen my senses.
My work often involves taking a closer look, viewing the world from a different perspective, up close and personal. Simplifying, highlighting, showcasing and simply conveying the atmosphere in an instant often missed by the naked eye. Exploration of the texture and the essence of a subject, embracing colour or tone, observing shape and form in greater detail continues to spur me on. Capturing my subject as seen through my eyes feeds my intuition, forms at times a psychological and spiritual connection it remains very fulfilling.
Photography for me is both a very rewarding and liberating experience but I have so much more to learn and do. I hope to travel to many countries, experience different cultures and visually document my encounters that will enable me to grow, progress and explore different dimensions of my photography. I have seen changes in my own work at different stages in life and the art form of photographic expression has not only help overcome personal adversities but assisted my journey of self discovery and aspirations.
The outcome is a personal exploration of my subject matter. My journey with photography continues to be a very gratifying experience and is a life-long commitment.
I am always aiming for the point at which form, function and meaning intersect seamlessly. I try to embrace colour through my work and like to use natural light when photographing still life subjects such as flowers. Capturing the visual rhythms in natural flow is a way of gaining a glimpse of our environment we barely notice or have words for but connects us all. I feel my strength, as a photographer is not so much in creating something new, but in bringing to the fore how things are.
I am currently working towards my 1st solo exhibition in aid of REFUGE Domestic Violence Charity. Refuge provides safety for families fleeing Domestic violence, an invaluable services to communities and countries worldwide.
They are able to offer these families much more than shelter, from psychological support to community outreach programs which help settle families back in to their new safe community upon leaving refuge and re-locating.
‘Form Follows Function’ exhibition is examining shape and form of various subjects; water, smoke, light painting, portraiture, abstract and Fine Art Nude.
Photographers Irving Penn and Rene Jacobs inspire me. Whist working on my exhibition I have become a signed artist with Giclee Link Art Publishers. They have eight pieces of my work for the next 3 years and sell business-to-business; hotels, galleries and interior designers. I hope to have my work displayed to a worldwide audience and in many homes.
Links:
My Website http://www.caliya.co.uk/
Caliya on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caliya-Fine-Art-Photography/126774380689429
My twitter feed http://twitter.com/#!/caliyacouk
My profile on Giclee Link http://www.gicleelink.com/en/pages/artist-elizabeth-james-profile.html
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Form Follows Function
Free Space Gallery 2 Bartholomew Villas Kentish Town London NW5 2BX
Private View: Wednesday 5th October 2011 – 6pm to 9pm (Live music by Ivy Chanel)
2nd Live Gig: Friday 21st October 2011 (NUBREEZE) – 6pm to 9pm
Exhibition runs from: Wednesday 5th October 2011 – Friday 21st October 2011
Gallery Opening Hours: Mon- Fri: 9 am to 7 pm
Last day of Exhibition: Friday 21st October: 9 am to 9 pm
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great images