Twentieth-Century Fashion:
A Historical, Photographic Tribute to the Women of my Family
Throughout the twentieth century, women’s fashion underwent a dramatic progression. The changes in style were influenced by wars, economic booms, and busts, advancements in technology, and reflected various signs of the time. As eras changed, so did women’s roles in society which influenced the way women dressed.
This exhibition celebrates the women of the artist’s family throughout the twentieth century. Working in photography, videography, and graphic design the artist weaves the past into the present in a contemporary style of portraiture. The artist is inspired by the ties that we share from generations past. history, and a large family photography collection and archive stretching back seven generations.
Through the process of exploring multi-generational family photos and heirlooms, the artist was inspired to capture each decade in a colorful and contemporary style, bringing the past into the present.
The artist focused on capturing her subjects using the essence of the people of a decade to reflect the lives these women-led and the challenges they may have faced. Utilizing digital photography, the artist brings out the beauty of full-color renditions of eras previously photographed in black and white. She commemorates the women of her family and their history through digital collages and locations of the past through videography. This exhibition is a way for the artist to connect with her family from past generations and also make a contribution to future generations to come.
Artists’ Statement
I am an interdisciplinary artist using photography, videography, and digital art to creatively capture the essence of people and their relationship to others and the environment. Incorporating nature, beauty, dance, and movement with natural lighting and creative editing, I focus on capturing the natural essence of people and uniquely capturing their true selves. As an artist, I am personally inspired by the ties that are shared through people and from generations past. I am passionate about family lineage and incorporating pieces of the past into my work.
Images left to right are:
Family Heirloom History Part 1, photograph and text, 11 x 14. Family Heirloom History Part 2, photograph and text, 11 x 14. Family Heirloom History Part 3, photograph and text, 11 x 14. Threads From the Past, 2022, Printed digital collage, 42 x 76 inches.
Artists bio:
Emma Cate Neves is a student majoring in Art Practice and minoring in Digital Studies. From a very young age, she had an interest in photography, studying a variety of styles and techniques, and learning from various photographers. Emma Cate is a photographer, videographer, dancer, and interdisciplinary artist, with studies and experience in graphic design. Her passions are creative portraiture and visual storytelling and she focuses on capturing people’s personalities, relationships, and emotions through close-up work and movement. Her experience as a lifelong dancer in a variety of styles plays a role in her creative approach and translates into attention to detail, movement, and her photographic and video aesthetic. Through close attention to lighting, composition, body form, and creative editing, Emma Cate works to create photographic and video portraits that are relevant, meaningful, and with a pure focus on her subjects. Outside of her studies, Emma Cate is a dance instructor in the styles of ballet, contemporary, and technique. She was awarded runner-up for Best Cinematography at the Bay Area Student Shorts Film Festival for her short, portrait, documentary, ‘Robert at the Shop: Covid Edition.’
Contact: emmacateneves@gmail.com