Name Megan Doherty.
Age 23 years old.
Birthday 22nd January.
Where are you originally from? Derry, Northern Ireland.
Where do you currently live? Nowhere permanent, I’m currently jumping all over the U.K at the moment.
Preferred art medium Photography.
Hobby or interest aside from art? Most of my hobbies are all creative in some way; aside from photography, I love writing, film, drawing and painting.
Who are some of your favorite artists? Photographically speaking, Nan Goldin, William Eggleston, Bruce Davidson, Ryan McGinley, Harley Weir and Olivia Bee are just a select few.
Favorite movie? I can never choose just one – Paris, Texas, Buffalo 66, Christiane F., Blue Valentine, Lost in Translation and Pierrot Le Fou are a few that I love.
Favorite book? I don’t actually have a favourite. I read a lot of autobiographical and psychology based material these days.
Favorite song/album/band/musician? Sonic Youth, Jackson Scott, Radiohead, Pixies.
What are 3 things you want to achieve? Create a film, book and photo series that say everything I want to say.
What is something you deeply love about yourself? My passion.
How has Instagram worked for you as an artist? It’s led me to some amazing opportunities. Once you share work on Instagram, the world is your audience.
What is your definition of art? Anything that makes you feel.
Briefly describe the circumstances under which you grew up I grew up in a street on the outskirts of my town with my family. We lived near a lot of fields and woods, so I was always outdoors from morning until night. My friends and I used to do typical kid’s stuff, riding our bikes, exploring, getting into trouble and creating our own stories as we went.
How do you think these circumstances influenced your art? I think because I’ve always held this part of growing up so close that it naturally comes across in my work. I don’t think I’ve ever let go of that sense of freedom and youthfulness.
What would you say are your artwork’s main themes? Youth, subculture, sexuality, freedom and escapism.
How would you describe your style? Cinematic, hazy, lo-fi.
Can you remember a specific experience from your life that has shaped who you are and what you do as an artist today? Every experience I’ve ever had has led me to where I am now, including who I am and what I create as an artist.
What are you communicating with your art? Above anything else, the world that lives in my head.
Artists paths are normally non-linear. Can you recall for us what your path has been like? I’ve always known I was going to pursue an artistic path. Even when I was young all I used to do was draw, write, photograph and create. I took an art class in school, which is when I discovered I wanted to take photographs and make films. From there I studied film for a year but dropped out as it was much more theory based than practical. That’s when I went on to study photography; I did so for three years and just graduated in June.
What kind of patterns, routines or rituals do you have to keep the creative juices flowing? Read, write, drink, explore, live.
“A lot of my generation are taking things into their own hands and not relying on the big dogs to make their work known. There’s a real DIY approach going on at the minute that I think is really exciting”
If you could change one thing in how the world works, what would it be? How people treat one another.
What is your opinion of the art world as it is right now? is there anything you'd like to change? I feel like change its already happening. A lot of my generation are taking things into their own hands and not relying on the big dogs to make their work known. There’s a real DIY approach going on at the minute that I think is really exciting
How do you think the internet aids/complements the art world? And how do you think it deteriorates it? The internet is capable of providing a huge amount of exposure for anyone’s work, given the appropriate platform. However this can be disadvantageous when your work becomes lost in a sea of images. That’s why I feel the internet is never enough on its own, you should always push your work in other ways.
Did you feel there were a lack of opportunities for you to express your creativity and emerge as an artist? If so, what would you propose to change this? Definitely, at the time. However I feel as though that’s starting to change now. There’s a whole new group of creative talent emerging in my hometown. Before I moved away, my friends and I were putting together our own shows, sharing our art and forming collectives. I feel like this is a huge step forward and will only continue from here.
“I’m given the freedom to create my own reality, and for the time that I’m creating it, I’m living within it.”
What draws you towards your particular art medium? I’m given the freedom to create my own reality, and for the time that I’m creating it, I’m living within it.
How have you developed your own unique style?
My style is something that’s come naturally to me, however it’s something that will continue to evolve with every new experience I have - every new film I watch, every new book I read, every new person I meet - everything I do will feed into my work. My work is simply an extension of me.
What are the main obstacles you have had to overcome as an artist? Feeling like the work I’m making isn’t good enough. It’s so easy to compare yourself to other people, but this shouldn’t be viewed as a competition, it should be viewed as an inspiring turning point. This artist you’re comparing yourself to has raised your expectations on what you consider to be good work. You can take that on board and realize that you haven’t reached your limit if your taste is becoming much more exquisite.
What project/series are you currently working on?
I’ve actually just come to the end of my ‘Stoned in Melanchol’ series and I’m hoping to turn the entire body of work into a photobook. In the meantime I’m currently working alongside a gallery in Japan to create a collection of zines which will be available soon
Anything else you’d like to add? Thank you!
“I don’t think I’ve ever let go of that sense of freedom and youthfulness.”
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