Maisie Cousins

book of prints from her degree show exhibition in June

Maisie Cousins is one of my favourite photographers and its not right that I haven't made a post about her already so for the next few minutes I will talk about why shes the coolest gal ever :)

I love her photography because it celebrates adolescence as a unique, free spirited, limitless experience. From a person who's idol is Mr Blobby she knows how to have fun with her work. She photographs her South London friends using her signature bold use of colour. The styling is as important to the artists aesthetic as it is to the subjects individuality; the fur coats, party dress and neon club gear reflect a generation raised on a wave of hegemony. She creates a world in which Generation Y reigns supreme and the adolescent remains a glammed and glittered pleasure-seeking club kid.

Model Lauren Reynolds

Model Camillie Auclair

Model Billie Turnball

Model Emily Bador wearing clothes by Rosie Newton

Her six page series for Vice (Tubular Belles) demonstrates how her portraits often respond and extend to the external environment. I think she achieves a unique intimacy with her subject which gives the photographs  power and conviction. Her message? Pleasure in defiance

Tubular Belles series for Vice

Model Sylvia Toh

Model Matty Boven

Model Arvida Bystrom

A major aspect of her work is the exploration of gender and sexuality. Her feature in Vice (Loveless) shows a modern dissatisfaction and indifference to the subject. Her recent studies of the female nude explores aspects of voyeurism in reference to frequent themes of pleasure and indulgence. Her mission is to encourage body love, nudity is not used for shock value but celebrated for its beauty. Her recent collages are like scenes from sci-fi movies, women pose like Venus on a kaleidoscopic background of colour. Men are treated with the same consideration, adorned with glitter, tinsel and colour filters. The lines between whats is considered male and female are intentionally blurred creating a singular epitome of a Maisie Cousins subject. 

Model Sam Voulters for Loveless featured in Vice

Her work also extends to still life and video. Her still lifes explore themes of nature and indulgence. In an interview with cooler magazine she explains that her interest with indulgence began when after reading a quote from Lydia Lunch who said "I think its important to encourage gluttony in all its formats." Her video Crush is a lighthearted look at the relationship between woman and food. Her interest in video filters into her photography with layering and collages hinting towards a narrative. Recently she worked on a music video for Mokadem,  the video is very much an extension of her photography. Despite her success as a photographer, her dream is to become a filmmaker.

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