Stolen Identity
Clement Mac an t'Saoir
- Sitter: Clement Mac an t'Saoir
- Medium: Mixed Media
- Dimensions: 34cm x 45cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
About the artwork
Clément Mac an t’Saoir’s facial features almost disappear in this self-portrait. A blurred head floats on a black background with his physical likeness almost entirely lost.
The image is a long exposure printed on rice paper. “The artwork incorporates typewriter, wax seal and thumbprint as a reminder of past proof of identity, all ‘protected’ behind encaustic media.”
Clément intends the work to address issues of stolen digital identities in an increasingly technological world.
“What is the value of our identity? In the past, privacy was secured with a wax seal, and respected. It was not great security, but there was respect for it. Now, with thumbprints and biometric identity markers, identity theft and commercialisation is a big problem. There’s no social respect for privacy and identity, because identity has commercial value.”
“Is our identity just a means to complete a commercial transaction, and if so, what is the true worth of our identity? It can be easily stolen when we reduce it to digital binary.”
This work is motivated by the artists personal fear of where society is going. “I feel like I’m losing my voice, people are walking into it without being aware.”
About the artist
Clément Mac an t’Saoir is an environmental consultant, and fine art photographer. Many of his works are eerie, poetic landscapes, and he is driven by wanting to express his ideas about the world. Growing up immersed in sectarism, hatred, and violence in Northern Ireland made him wary of extremes.
