Television Portrait (Cathy, London) 1989

Look familiar? This photograph by the British photographer Paul Graham (b.1956) shows a woman relaxing in her sitting room. The atmosphere is casual and personal, creating a bold contrast from the stiffly posed positions often seen in typical portraits. ️ Photographed in 1989, ‘Television Portrait’ depicts the artist’s roommate Cathy in their London home. This is the first in Graham’s series of television photographs, all depicting ordinary people watching television in the comfort of their own homes. Interestingly, the television itself is never visible in any of these artworks. Instead, they focus on the individuals alone. Cathy lounges on a grey fabric sofa, lying on her side. She wears ordinary blue jeans, and her feet are bare. Her face is hidden by her arm, camouflaging her identity. This creates a more relatable tone – it’s almost as if Cathy could be any of us! The sense of domestic comfort is further supported by the natural lighting and soft focus. The subject seems unaware of the photographer’s presence. She appears at ease rather than posed, providing a snippet of everyday real life. This focus on the ordinary and everyday is typical of Paul Graham’s artworks, which often explore working-class people and places.