Open Theme 2nd place winner

Domestic Disorder considers the chaos and congestion of clutter within the domestic setting and its impact on mental health. The work is autoethnographic, investigating Kathryn’s relationship with her belongings. Explorations are through a series of solitary, improvised performances and interactions with treasured possessions. Each performance evolves from a series of memories, thoughts and emotions, allowing Kathryn to better understand the complex relationship she has with the things she owns. Photographic practice becomes her personal therapy, documenting a journey from a state of disorder, where clutter and possessions were overwhelming, to a more ordered state where she is able to feel at peace in her domestic space.

Kathryn Jago is a photographer/visual artist from Plymouth, UK. It was after a period of ill health that photography became her passion. Kathryn’s hobby became her therapy leading her on a journey of self-discovery, achieving a BA Honours in Photography at Plymouth College of Art, where she is now studying for her Master’s degree.

This phase of her photographic journey began on reaching menopause, where Kathryn became more self-aware, finding an unexpected confidence in herself and her changing identity. These changes, brought about a desire to further investigate her evolving identity, using performance to explore personal history, her domestic space, possessions and the discrete but intrinsic attachments formed with the objects she treasures. It is hoped that through this exploration and scrutiny of personal belongings, Kathryn might become more in tune with her identity and understand the relationship between these belongings and her mental health. Although autoethnographic, part of a personal, transformative process and desire to take control of her own life and wellbeing, Kathryn hopes that her experiences and explorations, may provide inspiration for others.
Her work has been exhibited at FotoNostrum in Barcelona at the 14th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards.