Personal Care

The title Personal Care emphasizes the intimate nature of grooming, while also pointing to the paradox of performing these acts in public spaces. The series captures the moments where self-maintenance and grooming, usually reserved for private settings, are exposed to the public eye. This juxtaposition of the personal with the public invites viewers to consider the societal norms and psychological motivations behind these acts of self-care, and what they reveal about our relationship with self-image and identity.

In Jungian psychology, the concept of the persona refers to the social mask or image that we present to the world. Grooming, as an act of maintaining or enhancing this persona, becomes a ritualistic performance of self-presentation. Through Personal Care, the pictures explore how these acts of grooming, when performed in public, reflect our need to maintain control over our appearance and how we are perceived by others. The series invites contemplation on the ways in which individuals manage their persona, even in environments where privacy is compromised.

The act of grooming in public spaces also introduces a layer of vulnerability. These moments, usually confined to the privacy of one’s home, are exposed to the scrutiny of others, creating a tension between the desire for self-care and the awareness of being observed. This series captures that tension, highlighting the delicate balance between maintaining one’s appearance and the implicit vulnerability that comes with performing these personal rituals in public.

While the grooming practices depicted in Personal Care are individual acts, they are also part of the collective unconscious that governs our shared behaviors and rituals. By documenting these moments, the series reveals the universal nature of self-care and the ways in which these rituals are both personal and collectively understood. The public performance of these acts underscores the shared human experience of managing appearance, identity, and self-presentation in a society that values external image.

Despite the ordinary nature of the actions depicted—clipping nails, combing hair, applying makeup—Personal Care uncovers an unexpected intimacy in these mundane rituals. The series highlights how these small acts of self-care, performed publicly, offer a glimpse into the personal lives of individuals. The gestures, though routine, carry a deeper significance as they reveal the personal efforts to care for oneself, maintain dignity, and present a polished persona to the world.

Through Personal Care, I aim to explore the intersection of private rituals and public life, examining how acts of self-care performed in public spaces challenge the boundaries between personal and public identity. These photographs go beyond mere documentation; they provide insight into the psychological and societal forces that drive our need for grooming and self-maintenance. By capturing these moments, the series invites viewers to reflect on the ways in which we care for ourselves, manage our personas, and navigate the complex relationship between privacy, vulnerability, and public perception.