Art / Documentary photography
Martin Parr Foundation exhibits a decade of Siân Davey’s photographs
Now an honorary fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, Siân Davey began her photographic career later in life, after 15 years as a practicing psychotherapist.
As a result, her depth of experience and understanding of psychology is resonant in her images, which often focus on family, community, and the psychological landscapes surrounding us all.
Davey has received a clutch of prestigious awards including the Prix Elysée and Prix Virginia, and her work has been shown far and wide – including at the V&A, Science Museum and Photographer’s Gallery in London, and at the French National Collection, Paris.
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Her work has been collected in three monographs, Looking For Alice (2013-2018), Martha (2015-2016) and The Garden (2021-2023), all published by Trolley Books.
Looking for Alice documents Davey’s daughter, who born with Downs Syndrome; while Martha sees her switch her focus to her stepdaughter, Martha as she navigates her teenage years.
From the series Looking For Alice, 2014-2018 – photo: © Siân Davey, courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
From the series Martha 2015-2018 – photo: © Siân Davey, courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
“Inevitably, the work is also about Martha and myself,” Davey reflects. “I am always there as the photographer, as her step-mother, as a mentor and a friend.
“However, who I am and where I place myself in the story becomes a more questioning issue as she grows and moves further away from her childhood. The exchange of looks between us, that complex reflected gaze, begins to shift as she tries to define her own sense of self.”
The Garden was inspired by Davey’s son, Luke, with whom she breathed new life into a long-neglected garden and invited people in to be photographed amidst its unfolding natural splendour.
Opening on January 16, Davey’s first survey exhibition will be showing images made over a 10-year period, encompassing all three series.
From the series Martha 2015-2018 – photo: © Siân Davey, courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
From the series The Garden, 2021-2023 – photo: © Siân Davey, courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
Hosted by Martin Parr Foundation, The Creative Body will run for two months, with an artist talk and book signing from Davey in the final week of the exhibition.
Also on show will be a collection of lesser-known portraits from her ongoing series Communion, taken at summer festivals, and a variety of materials documenting her Creative Body Process workshops.
As a psychotherapist I have listened to many stories,” notes Davey. “It is interesting that what has been revealed to me after 15 years of practice is not how different we are to one another but rather how alike we are.
“It is what we share that is significant. The stories vary but we all share the same emotions, we are all vulnerable to feelings of anger, grief, depression and so on.”
Apparent in all her photographs is Davey’s uncanny ability to use her art to look deeply at the complexity of human connection. In Parr’s words, she is “one of the pioneering female voices in British photography.”
From the series The Garden, 2021-2023 – photo: © Siân Davey, courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
From the series Communion, 2017 onwards – photo: © Siân Davey, courtesy Michael Hoppen Gallery
Siân Davey: The Creative Body: Photographs 2014-2024 is at Martin Parr Foundation on January 16-23. Gallery opening times are Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am-5.30pm; closed Monday to Wednesday. Entry to the exhibition is free. For more information, visit www.martinparrfoundation.org.
Davey will be giving an artist talk on March 19, with a book signing of a brand-new publication, accompanying the exhibition, to follow. Tickets are available from the website.
All photos: Siân Davey
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