These images are portraits that collaborate between the photographer and the sitters, where there is no static formality in the positioning of the subject. The subjects select their location, whether it is a private, public, or intimate space. Followed by adding text/story to accompany their image.
Naked Britain began during the early part of the year 2005. I aim to photograph 100 models.) As a British resident, Anastasia intends to place the focal point of her subjects within Britain, hence ‘Naked Britain. However, she will be opening this project to other countries in the future – on her travels. This is an ongoing lifetime project.
This is an anthropological project that takes a look at ‘the self’ as a raw individual and their response to society. The representation of ‘the self’ is portrayed with an element of exposing their identity, and whilst being brought up in a Western society where clothing is a part of their attire, the shedding of these garments symbolically adds to this element – as if it is a vital part of acceptance. It is not only about being naked in a physical sense (without clothing) but metaphorically as well.
Before, during, and after this shedding, it often results in a healing process, depending on why and where my models have chosen to represent themselves. It could be past trauma, a childhood memory, a disability, a physical disfigurement, an escape from a white-collar conservative daily routine, or simply someone who no longer wishes to pay much emphasis on the pressures and expectations that go within British society but rather begins to process ‘the self’ for who they really are beneath the layers.
Anastasia has always been one to challenge the boundaries within society…constantly questioning the ‘norms’. She approaches life in a fearless manner, loves being thrown into the unknown and the unfamiliar, and loves seeing what results come to the surface.
Naked Britain was a natural progression that evolved from her body of work, ‘Photographing the female’, which was also an ongoing exploration that she began during her teenage years. While Naked Britain has some parallels with this work, its primary purpose is to disassociate the aestheticism of the naked body and put it into a discourse of individual expression. Her models choose the location as well as give a voice whilst writing in their own words on why they decided to get Naked for Naked Britain – Naked & Vocal
‘Photographing the female’ is mostly ‘black and white’ abstract nudes, where she focuses on the aesthetics within the concept of vulnerability being perceived as a pure form. With this perception, it was transformed into beauty rather than a negative state of being, as well as recognising the individual’s difference when stripped of their identity, and seeing the equity of the human form. View Gallery
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I have recently been given the all clear after having been diagnosed with breast cancer. During my treatment, your photo "Appreciating" has given me a lot of strength and hope, when I didn't have much of either. I wanted to thank you for that. I can relate to Lucinda's words. The beauty of things people usually miss is something I've started to really appreciate. It's the smallest things that gave me hope, things I wouldn't even have thought twice about before. The photo is also special because it shows Lucinda's courage and bravery to strip naked in a public car park, with a CCTV camera pointed right at her. Allowing to make yourself so vulnerable in a masculine environment shows real strength. Seeing this strength made me feel more empowered in return.
This picture has given me so much during a hard time. Thank you again for taking it and sharing it with the world.
Anastasia’s ‘Naked & Vocal’ project is the embodiment of art in its most gutsy form, allowing the viewer to experience a unique world of the naked body. A world which sees the naked body stripped from societal masks and pretty ribbons, beyond an object of lust and desire but rather, provoking thought and consciousness and giving rise to meaningful stories full of humaneness, warmth and with a deep sense of honesty and earthiness. It is a world which is vulnerable yet resilient, loud yet ever so silent, dark yet optimistic, distant yet so familiar, defiant yet so humble, at times, disturbing yet touching, bold yet so subtle and gentle. Naked bodies- inevitably bound by the sense of self and the projections of the mind- when seized in the moment through Anastasia’s unique lens, are liberated, and present a testimony to how true art can transform and make sincere and lasting connections.