Matt Henry (1978, UK) continues his work with photographic fiction in his latest series, Born on the Bayou, taking influence from the genres or crime, American gothic and the stylings of the ‘60s. The series is comprised of staged images using a cast of actors, with wardrobe, makeup, lighting, and location services sourced from the New Orleans film and television industry.
Henry's glossy, articulated photography plays with common social perceptions, based on the idea that certain faces, body types, ethnicities, objects and locations are generally used to convey a precise message to the viewer. Bright colours and what seem to be parallel stories are deployed in a typically American-looking set. Close-ups on the characters suggest the focus to be mainly on the narratives constructed by the viewer themselves, as they are asked to come to terms with the stereotypes presented by the photographer and their possible meanings.