Madeline Victoria Possibly 1980 - 1989

Mariette Pathy Allen captured this image of Madeline Victoria using photography; an approach to image making where chance and process collide. The light here is gorgeous, flat, and even. It embraces the soft focus and gentle tones of the umbrella which shelters our protagonist. The piece feels rooted in an older era, somehow. I’m really drawn to the composition of the photograph. It’s as if the artist is asking us to consider the relationship between gender and performance. See how the delicate details of the lace trim at the neck and the bracelets on the subject’s wrist contrast with the seriousness of their expression. It’s a complex combination. Allen’s work reminds me a bit of Nan Goldin, in the way that she captures intimate moments with such honesty and vulnerability. Both artists invite us to consider the complexities of identity, and the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected places. It’s a generous act, offering acceptance and understanding through art.