Jessy Boon Cowler
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Party Arms, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
Text and Images by Jessy Boon Cowler
Interview by Ora Heard
How did your series Reverse Culture Shock come to be?
After returning to London from my first long stay outside Europe I was observing my home environment with new eyes, obsessively shooting on 35mm film. At the same time I was working commercially using Photoshop to digitally ‘perfect’ portraits. I found a (then - 2011) new tool on Photoshop that tried to remove objects and imperfections, and started experimenting with this tool on my analogue images.
It felt cathartic: using ‘perfecting’ tools in the ‘wrong’ way - somehow punishing photoshop whilst also destroying the analogue purity of my snapshots of home.
Upon reflection I realised that these images were a visual representation for the uncanny and alienated way I was feeling at the time - the reverse culture shock.
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Headless Statue, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
Were there any challenges that came up while working on this project?
Always, but not with the image-making
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Kitchen o’clock, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
What do you want the viewer to take away from this series?
Anything, I’m always interested in the different ways things can be perceived
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Adriatico, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
Describe your creative process in one word?
Impulsive
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Colorful Buildings, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
What inspires you to pursue image-making?
Impulse
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Andalusian Oranges, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?
Irene Solà - When I Sing, Mountains Dance - it's magic. An amazing artist from Catalunya.
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Shit Party, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
What advice would you give to people just starting out in photography?
Don’t limit yourself to any medium. Do what excites you.
© Jessy Boon Cowler, NY Pooches, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
What is your favorite podcast to listen to?
I listen to music more than podcasts
© Jessy Boon Cowler, Salvation Cat, Process of making images: 35mm photograph, digitally edited
How do you take your coffee?
I rarely drink coffee, it makes me crazy.
