PHOTOGRAPHER ANNA WHITE
Anna White is a photographer and printmaker based in the Southeastern United States. Her work is rooted in storytelling and the exploration of memory. Much of her work considers identity, domesticity, femininity, and concepts of the muse.
I am lucky to be surrounded by art on a daily basis – whether it be in my home creating or out in the world advocating for other artists. My work includes both digital and analog photography. I also work with traditional printmaking and bookbinding techniques to create photo books and other immersive art experiences.
Your greatest inspirations or influences?
It's hard to pinpoint just a few. I am constantly inspired by the ephemeral and temporal – the seemingly irrelevant or mundane. There is much to be said for the intricacies embedded in these moments. In my personal work, I am largely inspired by my family, specifically my sister and our relationship.
Music is also a huge inspiration for me. I will often grab my camera, hop in the car, pick a cd from my ever-growing collection, throw it in the cd player and just drive. I’ll end up in places I never expected and learn a good bit about myself along the way.
Artists I’m inspired by include Mark Stienmetz, Raymond Meeks, Deborah Willis, Sally Mann, Collier Schorr, Peyton Fulford, and Odette England.
Tell us a bit about your creative process and things you are looking forward to this year..
My creative process often begins with the experiences I have. A conversation, a book I read or a song I hear often inspire me to look inward and that is where the work begins. This year, I am excited to be working collaboratively with other artists in my community. To getting back out in the world (safely and responsibly) and cultivating new experiences and inspirations.
How has this year changed your creativity or how you see the world changing moving forward?
This past year was a wild one. I not only changed the course of my career but also found a new home in North Carolina. All of this was happening during a worldwide pandemic which made the emotions and day to day far more complex than I could have imagined. Though it was tough at times, there was also beauty and growth and revelations that may not have been uncovered under different circumstances. With all the time at home, I was able to hone in on old practices and start new ones.
Who do you consider to be an icon of our time?
Olafur Eliasson and Amanda Gorman stand out in my mind, but there are many effectors of change that deserve recognition. So many work on a local level to serve their community and bring positive change. These people are absolutely icons in my mind!
Do you think the art world needs to change, and if so how do you feel it can improve?
There is always room for growth and change. As with many other facets of the world, the past year shed light on how the art world can improve. Representation matters. Inclusion matters. While these things are important, it is just as important, or more so, to question why these ideas have been neglected in the past – what systems have made these ideas less desirable?
I believe that research is love. Taking the time to educate yourself is so important. Education comes in all shapes and forms - like reading, listening to podcasts, listening to music, having hard conversations with loved ones and many more! To continue moving towards positive change and growth I think, we, as artists and members of society, should take a closer look and do our part not to perpetuate inequalities in our communities.
What does wellbeing mean to you?
For me, wellbeing means balance. Wellbeing is the sweet spot where all aspects of my life come together for a moment of goodness. It means finding joy in the smallest of victories. It means supporting those around you while also taking good care of yourself. There is so much good, if you just can make time to see it.