SARAH GOBELL

Escape Artist Statement

The word escape is defined as breaking free from confinement or control. Most people go through stress or anxiety in their everyday lives and feel like they need to escape reality in some way. Some people may do this through drugs, substances, or physical activity, but my initial thought to hearing this word was escaping reality through reading. Books can truly help you relax and put you in a different scene. You can become invested with the characters and the plot so much that you forget about things causing you stress. My photo represents a girl in the library, escaping her reality with countless books around her as she reads.

 

I was inspired for this concept by my love for reading when I need to relieve stress or escape troubles. Reading helps me be calm and take my mind somewhere else and be imaginative as I read and paint pictures of the story in my head. The process of this photo required a library setting and a character to be reading with books around her. I sat the character in the middle of the library isle and shot the picture from farther back making her look small and completely surrounded by books. The character is sitting down reading like she is in her happy place escaping reality. Finally, there is a small pile of books next to her as if she will read those next.

 

I learned from this photo shoot that there are many simple things in life that can help you escape your stress or anxiety of reality. Most people might immediately think of drugs or alcohol, but things like reading help you escape in a different more peaceful way.