Kayhan Jafar-Shaghaghi

Issue 163

I am a full-time photographic artist based in Edinburgh, Scotland. I was born in Tehran in 1978 and immigrated in my early 20s to the UK. I have a PhD in history from University of St Andrews. I started taking pictures seriously when I moved to London in early 2000s and became hooked. During my 8 years in St Andrews, I developed my academic understanding of photography and its place in art history.

The images I make are reflection of my feelings at the moment the picture is created. I like to challenge the idea of still-life, the association of objects which normally do not coexist. Challenging the viewer, provoking some discomfort with strong images which make the viewer look again and cogitate - pushing the viewer to explore their own feelings in reaction to the image. 

In my portraiture, all the pictures are taken by the sitter (you can see the shutter release in his hand). I wanted to take away the authorship of the photographer and make it a collaborative work. In these pictures, the sitter is turning 60 and wanted to record his changing body - especially given his health issues. We speak about memories; events which made him feel betrayed, sad, proud and joyful. In a way the photograph telling the sitters life story. I set the camera and look away and the sitter presses the shutter whenever they feel ready.

Technical Note: All pictures taken using an 8”x10” field camera. I use IMAGO Direct Positive paper. This is an in camera method of photography. 50% is lighting and 50% its chemistry in the darkroom. I am told that I am probably one of the only people who use this paper. As a Cibachrome paper, the Melinx base is almost as reflective as a mirror. The reflectiveness of the material is the right fit for the personal reflection of the project.

Kayhan Jafar-Shaghaghi lives and works in Edinburgh, Scotland.
kayhan.co.uk | @kayhanstudio