Robin O’Shaughnessy

Through my work, I navigate the intriguing journey of self-exploration, examining the shift from my vibrant youth to my present self. Drawing inspiration from personal childhood home videos (when I was 5 years old), I aim to contrast the uninhibited emotional expression of my younger self with the constrained norms of adulthood. As a child, I conveyed my emotions through rapid, chaotic movements, as well as through my body language and facial expressions. The freedom to express your feelings openly is accepted in childhood, but as adults, societal norms restrict such openness. Due to societal expectations of emotional restraint, I feel disconnected from my past emotions.

Through experimentation with projections, photography, and video, I seek to bridge the gap where I compare my current self with the vibrancy of youth. Taking inspiration from childhood colour palettes, I infuse my work with nostalgic innocence, capturing the essence of youthful emotions.

'Tuning In' embraces discomfort as I delve into these unfamiliar mediums to capture my journey of reconnection authentically. Incorporating elements of static and interlacing lines into my work, I aim to convey the nuanced struggles and uncertainties inherent in this process of rediscovery.