Un-Editioned
Sihl Masterclass baryta paper

The Touch Response is a photographic documentation centered around the family environment, exploring the effects of isolation and lockdown in Melbourne, following the worldwide pandemic we are currently experiencing in 2020. This forced disruptive state is demanding humans to delve into a new sensory world, seeing us tap into behaviours that have not been experienced and observed before. When reflecting upon the variety of human responses, this has led me to look globally and then more closely at my community, my street, my home and my twin sons. Over the months I have been observing the rapid change in their behaviour and wanted to document these sensory adaptations they were currently experiencing. By taking an intimate look at what seemed like simple nuances to me before Covid time were in fact a much deeper expression and dramatic consequence of this new way of living.

The ongoing series ‘The Touch Response’ visually tells this story in a representational form; recognising the different emotional and physical passages we have experienced, pausing and capturing each moment. These intimate junctures have been witness to new close attachments, where hugging and embracing each other and the space around us has become vital in surviving each day. A revolution of twirling, spinning, dancing and singing have taken over our daily rituals. Coping mechanisms have naturally floated their way into our everyday and whilst these behaviours can grow tiresome, they have also provided beautiful, unforgettable moments. This imagery will become a moment in time for my family, a historical mark that documents a time that affected every human on earth, a deeper understanding of the effects on children and a project that can be relatable for many parents and caregivers of youth. This virus is unpredictable but one thing that is certain, is that this new way of living continues to steal one vital piece of our human makeup - touch.