John William Keedy

John William Keedy

John Keedy is a photographer and artist who was exposed to photography at a young age through his father, sparking an interest in pursuing a photography career for himself. Keedy creates images that examines the concepts of personal identity and normalcy. 

It's Hardly Noticeable

The series It's Hardly Noticeable explores the taboo subject of mental illness. As the name explains, Keedy is exploring the fact that many people have mental illnesses that are often not noticeable to the general public such as anxiety and OCD. Keedy used his own anxiety, to inspire the series, allowing the images constructed to highlight the influence of his thoughts and routines and how they differentiate from someone who doesn't have a mental illness. The pictures reveal the relationship between reality and perception whilst questioning the stereotypes of normality. I have chosen to research John Keedy as one of my chosen photographers because I like the relationship he constructs between the objects in his work and the meaning of how a mental illness such as anxiety may not be noticeable to society but it is just as powerful as a mental illness such as Bipolar Disorder. 

Image Analysis

Objectively, this image shows a front door covered in yellow post it notes. The door is a cream colour and therefore doesn't stand out behind the post it notes, however the lock and the door nob do stand out as they are a brass colour. The post-it notes on the door, serve as a reminder for the person who has put them there. Subjectively, I feel that even though this photo is very basic and simple, it is very thought provoking at the same time, as it really describes what someone with a mental illness such as OCD goes through in their every day lives. The repetition of the post it notes reflect the persons mentality and their possible thought patterns with a mental illness such as OCD. This image shows the mentality of someone who cannot rest without checking again and again that their door is locked. I like how in one image something which can be viewed as not very important to the rest of society, is actually shown to be very powerful to the person who lives with the mental illness. Personally when viewing this image, I feel isolated and lonely, both of which are emotions that stand out to me from this image. The image further makes me feel subdued, due to the mix of colours, none of which stand out but rather blend together, creating a dull atmosphere. 

Objectively this image shows part of a white plate that has been cut of in the frame. There are a number of green peas that have been arranged into a line on the plate. To the side of the plate, there is a silver knife and spoon that have been bent into a mangled state accordingly. This arrangement all lay upon a light green background, which is assumed to be a mat by the stitching visible at the bottom of the photograph. The photographer has taken everyday objects and inverted their meaning, creating a whole new perspective on things such as peas and cutlery. There is minimal contrast within the image, however there is slightly more contrast between the peas and the plate, allowing the peas to take centre focus within the image,  where the viewers focus will then stray to the cutlery. Subjectively, I believe that behind the simple image and arrangement lies a very powerful meaning. The peas that have been arranged on the plate show the meticulous thought process behind someone who suffers from a mental illness such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. However, the mangled cutlery contrast with the message behind the ordered peas, as they provoke and represent the feeling of chaos and disorder, which is commonly felt by someone with OCD. 

Objectively, this image shows a wooden table and chair. On the table there is a lamp, which is creating a soft glow, as well as some paper, a mug, a cup of pens, envelopes, glasses and some dead flowers. The various objects are all situated in the spaces between the string on top of the table. There is a low contrast in the image, as most of the image is dominated by warm colours such as browns and yellows. Subjectively, I believe that this image is a powerful but subtle one. When someone first views it, it may not occur that this image is showing the effects of, and the routine of someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The leading lines of the string create a sense of order in the image however, with the different objects all placed carefully and purposefully within the spaces of the strings, it becomes clear that the sense of order has been taken to the extreme. This image explicitly shows the meticulousness of someone with OCD and how they cannot rest until everything is how it should be. It has been taken to the extent that even each individual rose petal has a place on the table, which creates a powerful impact on the viewer as they are able to see first-hand just how tiring and nerve wracking it can be to have a mental illness. Personally when viewing this image, I feel warmth due to the use of warm colours, however, this is contrasted with the a feeling of emptiness due to the order and thought process behind the arrangement of items on the desk. 

Responses

For my response to John William Keedy, I decided to use still life to portray a mental illness. I used both similar compositions and objects to create observational images as Keedy has done. I attempted to portray the  relationship between the objects featured in my images and the mental illness that lies behind the person who has 'supposedly arranged the objects. 

This image portrays part of what is assumed to be a front door. The door which appears to be white is covered in yellow post it notes which have writing on them. The writing reads 'LOCK THE DOOR in capital letters making the writing stand out. Around the yellow post it notes a brass door handle, a lock and chain are all visible in the picture, standing out against the white and yellow of the door and post its. The lighting within the image is neutral creating minimal contrast, allowing the door handle, lock and chain all to stand out further as a result of their dark colouring. 

Subjectively, I think for a first attempt at a response, this image has been fairly successful. The use of both post it notes and words have allowed me to get the message behind the image across to the viewer. The repetition that is featured in the image allows the viewer to see both the physical process and the thought process behind someone who suffers from a mental illness such as OCD. I used natural lighting to shoot this image, meaning there is minimal contrast and depth within the image, adding to the linear and repetitive tone of the picture. If I was to shoot this image again, I would make the words a darker colour, allowing them to stand out against the post it note and the door. 

Objectively this image shows a white plate with a row of peas on top of it. Next to the plate there is both a mangled fork and spoon. This composition lies on top of a green background, which is assumed to be some sort of tablecloth due to the texture of the cloth. The image is both highly saturated, allowing the green of both the tablecloth and peas to become bold and vibrant. This then creates a large amount of contrast between the green of the tablecloth and peas and the white of the plate. 

Subjectively, I think this image has been a successful response as it largely showcases all of what Keedy did in his version of the same image. I have shown the order that revolves in somones world with OCD whilst paralleling it with the chaos in that particular persons head, through the use of the mangled cutlery. I used natural lighting to shoot this image and then photoshop to increase the contrast and saturation of the image. If I was to edit this image again, I would decrease the amount of saturation and contrast within the image, allowing the image to look a bit more subtle, as John William Keedy's version of the same composition does. 

This image portrays a clump of peas all organised into a row. The image is extremely saturated with the green of the peas standing out against the white background. This composition is a close up of the previous image of peas all organised on a white plate. 

I think this response has been successful in responding to the brief of mental illness and OCD. The peas have all been closely organised suggesting that the person who has done this has to go through this certain process every time they have peas on their dinner plate. The vividness of the image highlight's the contrast allowing the peas to really stand out in the image and make a statement.