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Close up - Food for thought
HILLY Fletcher is quickly becoming known as the Damien Hirst of Calderdale.
The 49-year-old graphic designer has just moved into photography and her latest work is causing something of a stir at the Heart Gallery in Market Street, Hebden Bridge, where it is part of the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.
Hilly, who lives in Midgley with her husband, Dan, and two children, 10-year-old Annie and eight-year-old Tom is obsessed by food and has struggled with her body image all her life. She decided to take an ironic look at relationship between food and body image by dressing up food and photographing it.
Her collection of 15 pictures is called Eating Disorder and features raw food in different guises. One shows a 22lb leg of Yorkshire ham with 150 nails in it.
She feels her photographs are sensual and ambiguously erotic, but says she never expected the reaction they have caused.
"I know they are powerful images, they were never meant to be comfortable, I wanted to provoke some thought, but I have been astounded by people's reactions. Some people are amazed while others are revolted.
"The most important aspect for me is the number of women who have seen them and been moved to talk to me about their own problems with food." Hilly is doing an art course with Calderdale College, Todmorden. Her Eating Disorder collection comes framed and unframed and in postcard size and is on show till the end of this month. Other galleries are now showing interest in her work.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO ART/PHOTOGRAPHY?
"I've always done something creative and have been working in graphics for a long time. Recently I decided to make time for me and go to art college one day a week. It's been wonderfully liberating!"
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST COLLECTION AND WHAT INSPIRED IT?
"Eating Disorder grew out of a college project called Wrappings and Bindings. We were all encouraged to develop our ideas individually. I decided to confront my demons and have some fun at the same time! I expect everyone who knows me would say that I am obsessed by food... cooking... eating... sharing and now photographing it. If you've been to our house for dinner recently you will almost certainly have been part of my project!"
IN WHAT WAY HAVE YOU STRUGGLED WITH YOUR BODY IMAGE?
"I have always struggled with my body image and I would challenge anyone who says they haven't at some time in their lives! My particular problem has been being overweight. In our society there seems to be a norm, which is unattainable but for a few. The rest of us can end up feeling insecure and unhappy with ourselves."
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
" I have tried to communicate some uncomfortable feelings in an unusual way – sometimes quite funny and sometimes quite disgusting. It has been important for me to keep a light-hearted slant on what has been at times a difficult journey. The
work is, by its nature, transitory as it has to be dismantled and eaten (I hate waste!) The photographic prints are a record and a way for others to share the work."
WHAT DOES EACH PICTURE COST AND DO YOU THINK THEY WILL BECOME COLLECTORS ITEMS?
"Of course I would be thrilled if they became collectors items... and so would the people who have already bought one! Prices range from 70 for a unframed limited-edition print to 180 for a larger framed limited-edition print."
WHERE CAN PEOPLE SEE YOUR WORK?
"Some of my prints are at the Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge. Alison Bartram, the owner, has created a wonderful space for local and national artists, designers and makers. She has a real passion for finding both beautiful and quirky pieces and I am delighted that she has encouraged me to exhibit at Heart."
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR MODELS
AFTER YOU HAVE DRESSED THEM?
"I photograph them, take great delight in undressing and cooking them and then the whole family sit down to a good meal."
WHAT MESSAGE ARE YOU TRYING TO CONVEY?
"I suppose I am trying to convey how uncomfortable I feel in this society which seems to value beauty and youth so highly. To me the most important things in life are the three Fs – family, friends and food"
WHAT DO YOU SPEND MOST MONEY ON?
"You guessed it... food and wine!"
WHAT COULDN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
"The three Fs."
WHAT WOULD YOUR MOTTO BE?
" Laugh, love and eat a lot (but not necessarily in that order!)"
WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU?
"Say yes! You might die tomorrow!"
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?
"Alison Bartram at Heart – for taking risks"
LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR?
"My laugh... and my cooking."
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