AS CHOSEN BY is a series of photographic portraits. The sitters are flowers, chosen by recognisable public figures. The result is a single flower and vessel, chosen by the sitter and shot in natural light at their home, studio, or garden. These are portraits without people and although there is no obvious human likeness, there is an undeniable humanity in each of Friend’s photographs. Although her methodology is concise and consistent, the variety of images is testament to the array of unique personalities she has included in the project.
The current exhibition roughly marks the halfway point of this project, which will eventually culminate in a larger show and a comprehensive book that will include the many behind the scenes images taken by Friend throughout her process.
Kate shoots exclusively on film, both medium and large format. The final prints are fine art C-types, made using a unique museum-grade printing process, exposing light onto colour paper. The print is then developed and hand-washed using traditional photographic techniques.
