When working on a project, what’s your creative process?
My creative process varies depending on the project. I draw inspiration from conversations, places I’ve been, books I’ve read, films, and, of course, the work of other visual artists. I often begin by making photographs on 35mm film as a way to experiment with loose ideas, gradually introducing other mediums as my work evolves into something that feels right for the project. Most of the time, I start with an idea of where these experiments will lead and end up heading in a completely different direction.
Please share the story behind a piece of work.
My project Where Birds Won’t Fly explored the folklore of my local landscape. The work told the story of a mermaid said to live beneath the surface of two natural pools, rumoured in ancient tales to be connected by an underwater tunnel, despite being six miles apart. Cattle refuse to drink from these pools, and birds will not fly over them. While exploring the folklore of these pools and the mermaid, I noticed a recurring theme: the dehumanisation of the female presence.
Intertwining the myths with theories of the other, I experimented with different mediums to blur the line between truth and fiction, creating fragmented narratives as a means to investigate the underlying misogyny.
Any unusual (if there is such a thing) inspiration?
Some of my photographs could be considered unusual. I aimed to distort the human figure through a mix of contorted poses and harsh lighting. These images were captured at night in the local landscape. I often wondered if anyone - or anything - saw the bursts of light and wondered what was going on!
What is important to you when you’re in the process of doing work?
Time and space. While deadlines can be helpful for finishing a body of work, they can sometimes prevent me from creating something that feels fully authentic to the story I want to tell. Allowing myself time to create work is not something that comes naturally, but I'm learning. Finding spaces where I feel comfortable, and connecting with other artists, has made it easier to give myself the space I need to work.
What can be missing in that process?
One thing I often find missing in my process is external feedback. While I enjoy the solitude of working on my own, there are times when an outside perspective could help me see the work from a fresh angle or push me in new directions. I’ve had conversations with other artists about this, and it seems to be a common challenge - working in isolation can sometimes feel limiting. Having feedback earlier on could help shape my work in a way that feels more connected to the world outside of my own creative headspace.
What would you like to add in your future projects?
I’ve been wanting to incorporate written word into my projects for the longest time. I’m particularly inspired by Lottie Davies’ photobook, Quinn, which blends fictional narrative with photography to explore themes like grief, loss, loneliness and a search for meaning through the landscape. The idea of using a fictional tale to reveal real-world truths has always fascinated me, and I’m keen to experiment with this approach in my own work.
What’s upcoming?
A return to creating new work. For some time, I’ve been more relaxed in my process - making photographs without a specific project in mind. As a result, I now have a collection of varied work that I’m beginning to unpick and shape into new stories. This project is still very much in its infancy, but it feels exciting and I am looking forward to challenging my usual processes and creating more experimental pieces as it develops.
See more work: https://www.rubynixon.co.uk/
Instagram: @rubynixonphoto