Conceptual nominee

2020 was a brutal reminder of the devastating effects of ignoring the still stigmatised topic of mental health. Within 3 months, I had lost both my partner, Simon, and my friend of 26 years, Conrad, to suicide. On the 31st May 2020, I completely crumbled. Gut wrenching pain together with years of suppressed emotion, took me to a scary, yet honest place.

My series portrays my femininity and fragility. It portrays being held captive, not by lockdown regulations, but by my self-limiting learned beliefs. A time of pain and loss, of letting go, beginning the journey of self-forgiveness. A growing awareness means I am no longer able to hide from myself. Self-sabotage, once a mystery in its obvious insanity, continues to wait in the wings, yet I draw strength from nature, both teacher and healer.

A. All self-portraits were shot on the 31st May 2020, in Cape Town, South Africa.
B. Each one of the natural elements was shot in Cape Town, South Africa during the Covid -19 lockdown. The individual locations vary.

Nature, continues to reinforce that change is the only constant in life. My self-portrait series is ongoing and undoubtably will also change and evolve over time.

South African born, Nicole Vittoria de Jager, trained in Fashion Design and spent 20 years in the Film Industry Costume Department before crossing over into photography late 2019.

A story told through eyes in portraiture or spontaneously capturing the unexpected in street photography are both food for her soul. She is driven by moments which stir something deep within. A great passion is working on projects relating to humanitarian and social issues. Her intention is to expose and initiate change through her visuals, in hope of making a difference in the lives of those who do not have a voice.

Nicole has also found self-portraiture to be beneficial in her process of self-discovery and healing.

Nicole’s work has been awarded in the 15th and 16th Black & White Spider Awards, 19th International Photography Awards, 16th Pollux Awards, 17th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, 14th International Color Awards and the 7th Fine Art Photography Awards receiving 3 nominations and 13 honourable mentions. She won 1st and 2nd place in the Segregation & Human Rights Amateur Single category, 1st place in the Segregation & Human Rights Amateur Series Category and 2nd place in the Children Amateur Series category in the 16th Pollux Awards.