A photographer traveled to Menorca to develop a personal project by stripping back the architecture of everyday life. The trip followed a period of postnatal depression and was framed as necessary for survival rather than escape. Traveling solo as a mother was controversial to some, but it was essential to listen to her own thoughts. Menorca offered a major retrospective of Cindy Sherman, including a film about Sherman’s solo practice. Sherman’s approach became a blueprint, leading the photographer to adopt a character named Cindy. This character enabled freer inner conversation, kindness toward herself, and relief from guilt labeled as selfishness. The presence of the character felt equal and non-judgmental, making self-compassion feel radical.
"“I don't think I was trying to escape. I was trying to find something,” she says, explaining how the trip came following a period of postnatal depression. Travelling solo as a mother might have felt controversial to some in her life, but for the photographer it was essential “to be able to listen to my own thoughts,” she explains."
"“There's a really amazing film there about how she works as a solo maker, as well as artist, as well as photographer. I loved her perseverance with just trying different things and learning a lot about herself in the process,” says Lloyd-Platt."
"Sherman's methodology provided a blueprint to Lloyd-Platt, who adopted a character she named Cindy for her own work there. It allowed her to operate more freely: “I did find myself being a bit more open in conversation in my own mind with these characters,” she says. But working as an 'other' also allowed her to treat herself with the kindness she might not otherwise afford - that inner voice saying things you'd never say to a friend - and neutralise the guilt of perceived 'selfishness' she might feel in this act of self care."
"“Any kind of choice to put yourself first is seen as really selfish,” Lloyd-Platt explains. “I consoled her in ways I couldn't for myself, I listened to her and tried not to interrupt, and mostly we were quiet, but her presence was equal and non-judgemental - and that felt radical. The cruelty we lay over ourselves burns and the societal suggestion of manners pacifies that harshness when it's applied to others - thinking of ourselv”"
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