ABOUT THE ARTIST

Michelle Marie Roy is a photographer, curator, and video artist based in Stockholm, Sweden. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Roy's work provokes a discussion on gender, making references to art history, semantics, and feminist theory. Roy's work brings to mind terms such as mythology, voyeurism, abuse, and beauty, and her oeuvre seeks to maintain a balance between meaning, a formalist aesthetic, and emotion.

According to Roy, "The basis for my photographs has nothing to do with capturing a moment or exploring the world through documentation. I create purely fictive scenarios that are an expression of an inner world or concept. Often my photographs address my experience of gender, both personally and theoretically, but there are also references to art history, and especially to the medium of painting.

I frequently work in series, and each series tends to have its own aesthetic. But throughout my years of image-making, I have often used myself as a model, as in the Alchemy and The Baby Doll Mythos series. Simplicity was the reason for this. I knew what I wanted to achieve with the piece, and using myself allowed me to experiment freely and explore my identity. I eventually turned to models, but I occasionally utilize the self-portrait as a means of self-exploration.

I am frequently asked about my technique. I often experiment with the medium, but without the use if Photoshop. Experimenting with daylight and artificial light, photographing through various materials, using make-up and costumes, as well as reflections are essential to my working-process."

Michelle Marie Roy began her photographic studies at the University of Georgia’s School of Art. After earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts, she worked with fundraising at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA, and was an active member of the Atlanta Photography Group. After relocating to Stockholm, Sweden in 2001, Roy continued her studies in art history at Södertörns högskola and went on to earn her masters degree at Stockholm University in International Curating Management. While earning her degree, Roy worked extensively as a free-lance curator in both the fields of design and photography. In addition, Roy has worked as a critic for the international arts magazine, Art Papers as well as for the Swedish site Konsten.net. In 2009, Roy was appointed curator to Fotografiska, a new museum dedicated entirely to photography. Fotografiska will open in May 2010.

NEWSLETTER

Fill in the form below to sign up for our newsletter.