Fabric Installation and Book Series

    Victoria Gallagher’s photographic and mixed-media installation work explores ideas of identity through constructing intimate spaces by using personal materials. Tent is a domestic environment that is constantly evolving through disassembling childhood clothing, undergarments, jewelry, and bedding from the artist’s personal life. Gallagher invites individuals that are close to her to share the space. With these moments of comfort and protection, she then attempts to record the intimacy of being close, seeing yourself as well as seeing others.

           

    Tent shows the artist’s identity by having her childhood memories, intimate clothing in the installation and on the rag wall of fabric. It is both a reflection and representation of Victoria’s vulnerability with herself and those close to her. It is a mirror and record of the things that come with intimacy of being close, of seeing yourself and others.  The space is constantly changing as she adds images, more materials, layering blankets and pillows, and even childhood memories. 

 

    Tent also acts as a photo studio/ space of play where Victoria invites her friends, and others she is close with to make collaborative photographs. For these photo sessions, she allows her participants to pick clothing they feel comfortable wearing, items that show their particular identity and style. She has them bring in items that are meaningful or have memories attached to them like old jewelry. Victoria believes that objects can carry an identity because we can feel so attached to them that we can’t let go. The photographs shot in the intimate space of The Tent become part of the installation and part of a series of images incorporating her friends’ identities with her own.