Synesthesia is a mixed-media portrait series exploring identity through a visual simulation of synesthesia. Each portrait was created through an intensive, collaborative process beginning with an in-depth, free-form conversation with the subject about their identity, experiences, and sense of self. I translated my emotional and intuitive perception of each individual into a visual language of color, painting directly onto each subject's face.
The photographic process extended beyond the physical portrait. During post-production, every compositional, tonal, and visual decision was made to further reflect my interpretation and understanding of the individual subject. The resulting series explores the relationship between perception and identity, and how one person’s understanding of another can be translated into an entirely visual form.
