Gerwyn Davies' Vivid Costumed Photographs Toy with Portraiture
Gerwyn Davies’ costumes navigate the quirky, humorous, and sometimes absurd, showcased in vibrant photographic self-portraits. Set against glowing desert landscapes, city skylines, skate parks, and nondescript interiors, his images blend fashion photography with elaborate, often bizarre, handmade costumes.
His creative journey began with early photography experiments alongside friends, where they staged portraits by taking turns operating the camera, posing, and finding lamps to light scenes. Davies recalls,
“It was Vogue magazine on a B-horror film budget.”
He was captivated by the power to create fantasy through photography, fueling his excitement to explore more possibilities. These early playful moments inspired his ongoing interest in readymades and a carefully constructed approach to image-making.
Davies defines his work as “queer photographic self-representation.” He personally designs and constructs his costumes, turning his body into a sculptural form. Sometimes his entire figure is covered in garments; other times, legs or arms are visible, but his head is always hidden.
When photographing, Davies works without looking through the viewfinder, snapping a rapid series of automatic shots while performing quickly for the camera. He then chooses a final image from the sequence.
His work challenges traditional portraiture by merging fantasy, fashion, and sculptural costume design in a distinct self-representative style.