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Michelle Sank was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She left there in 1978 and has been living in England since 1987. Her images reflect a preoccupation with the human condition and to this end can be viewed as social documentary. Her work encompasses issues around social and cultural diversity.
These images are from a project about Young Carers, children under the age of 18 who are often the main carers for a sick parent or sibling. In addition to performing daily household tasks like washing, bathing, cooking and shopping, they also have to manage the additional pressure of school. Because they are different, they are often exposed to bullying from schoolmates and lack a sense of identity as an individual in their own right.
With these portraits, I wanted to empower these young people with a sense of their own identity and normality. I wanted to remove them from their home environment and place them within 'light' and outside spaces. By getting them to dress in something they chose and to be themselves, I think for that moment in time they felt special, grounded and free.This project was undertaken during a residency supported by Fotogallery, Cardiff, Wales.
England has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Europe and this statistic is of growing concern. In the project « Into the Arms of Babes », I am exploring the current phenomenon of teenage mothers, and in some cases, teenage parents. Essentially these parents feel like children themselves, and it is this vulnerability that I am trying to convey. I am also interested in showing the relationship and bonding that exists between young parent and child as well as revealing the dynamics that are apparent between the mother, her partner and the extended family.
(texts from the Internet website of Michelle Sank / www.michellesank.com)
Brian Sherwin: Michelle, can you discuss some of your first experiences with a camera? What attracted you to photography? Also, do you have any formal training in photographer-- as in, did you attend any academic programs for that study?
Michelle Sank: I discovered photography by chance - It was introduced in a Fine Art course I was studying at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, Cape Town. I immediately became committed to the medium.
BS: I understand that you view your work as a form of social documentary. Can you go into further detail about that and the message you strive to convey to viewers?
MS: My work although not journalistic deals with social issues - I am drawn to groups or individuals that don't quite fit the norm.Through my portraits I attempt to show the social, psychological, physical nuances of the people I work - a sense of humanity. Often these people lives have been difficult in some way. I work very intuitively and am drawn to my subjects through something they are emitting at that point in time - a mood, a look, a stance, dress, how the light is working with all that as well.
BS: I understand that you have lived in Capt Town, South Africa and a few other places throughout the world. How have those travels influenced you as an artist?
MS: I was brought up in South Africa and lived there into my early adult life. I believe growing up in the Apartheid system and myself being part of a refugee community drew me to photograph people living on the edge of society. I also think the exoticness of Africa in place, colour, light and cultures has strongly influenced the work I make.
BS: What about other influences? Are you influenced by any specific artists?
MS: My strongest earliest influence was that of David Goldblatt who became a mentor to me when I started. I now enjoy the work of photographers like Phillip di Corcia, Stephen Shore, Joel Sternfeld… etc.
BS: Can you discuss the connection you feel with the people you photograph? Is there a connection? Philosophically speaking, can you describe that connection?
MS: I am very connected to my subjects whether it is on the street or in more constructed working environments. It is very much a two way process and I have always said that the interaction I have is as meaningful as the photograph.
BS: How does an idea for a series come to you? At what point do you say “this could work”… or does it just happen depending on the situation?
MS: As mentioned I work very organically and sometimes just by walking around and observing, the seed of an idea for a project happens. Sometimes projects come to me through various gallery commissions I have undertaken.
(Excerpts from an interview between Michelle Sank and Brian Sherwin, Senior Editor of the blog www.myartspace.com / http://myartspace-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/art-space-talk-michelle-sank.html)
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