Conceptual nominee

A visual representation of toxic relationship.

I took this self-portrait two days after finding myself in a strange bed with an oxygen mask over my face. I had been meaning to shoot this idea for weeks and a spontaneous ‘little’ surgery wasn’t going to disrupt the plan. I remember waking up from anaesthesia and inspecting the tubes coming out of my body to decide if the medical props I bought online look accurate. (My life priorities are questionable.)

Iness Rychlik is a Polish-born photographer and filmmaker with a particular interest in historical drama. Despite her severe myopia, she has been dedicated to visual storytelling for over a decade.

Iness graduated with First Class Honours in Film from Screen Academy Scotland. Set in Victorian London, her final-year film ‘The Dark Box’ follows an unhappily married woman, who pursues photography to escape from her oppressive relationship. ‘The Dark Box’ premiered at Camerimage, where Iness received a Golden Tadpole nomination for her cinematography. Most recently, she shot and directed two mini-documentaries about art for the BBC Scotland.

Rychlik is recognised for her dark feminine erotica, which has been awarded and exhibited all around the world. She is fascinated by the idea of conveying sexuality and cruelty in a subtle evocative way. Her conceptual self-portraits provoke the viewer’s imagination, rather than satisfy it.