Sofia Wilkinson-Steel: Meme Me
May 25th, 2020
Bright, bold and exuberantly self-reflective, Public Offerings Ltd. has caught up with up-and-coming photographer Sofia Wilkinson-Steel to explore her quarantine selfie regime. The empowered young photographer talks us through inspiration and changing the world, one selfie at a time.
POL: So tell us, why photography?
SWS: Photography for me has been one of the only things that has come naturally to me since I started. I struggled a lot academically, going through my whole schooling life without knowing I was dyslexic which was a struggle to say the least, and no matter how hard I tried, the best I could do was often a pass, even being called stupid by one of my teachers.
Not to say that when I first started photography, I was amazing at it, but it just felt right, and I enjoy the hard graft and learning I have to do, and still do, to further my skills. So I didn’t even question when finishing my A Levels to do a photography degree, realising that it was something that I just loved to do, and as cheesy as that sounds, felt it was my calling so to speak.
POL: Your work is always so current in its aesthetic, where are you getting your inspiration?
SWS: I get a lot of inspiration, and base a lot of my initial research on pop culture and memes. I find the 00s a really interesting era, the Internet was finding its feet, reality TV was the hottest new thing, and the way people became famous was changing.
It was also the decade where I had my most formative years as a child, which had great influence on how I view media and also myself, Tyra Banks in ANTM not only made me fall in love with fashion, but also made me hyper aware of my own body and insecurities. So I like to explore that so-called relationship I had with media and culture at that time, my biggest project to date being me as a Disney Channel star, delving into how that high amount of pressure and public attention can effect a teenagers psyche.
POL: Your quarantine work is all self-portraits, how would you say your photography represents yourself?
SWS: I use self portraiture to explore themes within myself I couldn’t do without the camera. Taking self portraits gives me confidence to do things I otherwise couldn’t do, channeling these different personas I discover in me. During lockdown, I haven’t been planning an outcome per say with these self portraits, more just challenging myself to shoot every week, which is common with my own work, often finding out the ‘meaning’ once it’s finished.
POL: You’ve said previously that you want to make imagery that is inclusive, diverse representation of today’s culture and society - how inclusive would you say photography is? and how are you addressing this in your work?
SWS: Up until very recently, the photography industry has been very exclusive, often a rich white mans paradise. But now, the space has become a more diverse place for photographers and models alike, bringing us more queer and POC representation in the media than ever before.
So I do try my best to give diverse representation in my work, especially when I myself am not the subject. But I am also aware that I could do a lot more and have a long way to go. Even though I am bisexual, that doesn’t exclude me from any criticism or improvement I need to make to ensure my work is more inclusive.
“I do try my best to give diverse representation in my work, especially when I myself am not the subject. But I am also aware that I could do a lot more and have a long way to go.
Even though I am bisexual, that doesn’t exclude me from any criticism or improvement I need to ensure my work is more inclusive.”
About Sofia Wilkinson-Steel
Sofia lives and works in London; running front of house for a top photography studio, alongside shooting fashion editorials and producing her own work.
Editorials and publications include: Colour Theory (OFFPRINT, 2017), Movement in Pause (Unsettled Magazine), Am I Beautiful? (Polemical Zine) and Real Housewives Beauty (HUNGER TV).
Artist Statement:
I am a visual artist and fashion photographer. I want my work to speak for itself. I want people to look at my photography as art not just photography. I want my work to represent everyone and also represent myself. I want my work to change the fashion and art industry, and lead a path for an inclusive, diverse representation of today’s culture and society.