Catharsis, Circa 2018

Brooke Shaden   Emerging artists

Brooke explores dark and light in people, and her work engages with this juxtaposition. As a self-portraitist, she photographs herself and becomes the characters of dreams inspired by an intense childhood of imagination and fear. As a creator and actor, Brooke controls her darkness and confronts these fears.

After studying film for years in college, she realized her love for storytelling was universal. She then started photography in 2008, enthusiastic about creating in solitude and taking on character roles herself. Brooke works from a theme, often gravitating towards death and rebirth or beauty and decay.

Ultimately, his process is more discovery than creation. She pursues her curiosity towards the unknown to see who could become her characters. Brooke believes an artist's greatest gift is the ability to channel their fears, hopes, and experiences to represent their potential.

Although his images come from a place of personal exploration, the purpose of creation is not just to satisfy oneself; his greatest wish is to show others a part of themselves. Art is a mirror for the creator and the observer.

Brooke's passion is storytelling, and her life is swallowed up by it. From creating self-portraits and writing to international adventures and motivational speeches, she wants to live a thousand lives in one. She keeps her curiosity burning to live a really interesting story.