London Art Fair Discussion - Daniel Regan

Control of the Frame: Power, Representation & Identity in Photography - Daniel Regan - "The Alopecia Project"

Thanks to Pam Glew, I was able to attend London Art Fair where I went to a discussion about "Power, Representation & Identity in Photography", organised by PhotoVoice. The first panelist to share their work was Daniel Regan who spoke up about the issues of mental health and body image. He shared his current project "The Alopecia Project" where he's working alongside Alopecia UK to humanise the medical condition. 

Alopecia, often caused by stress, drugs, chemotherapy and most commonly aging, is simply hair loss or baldness. However, for those who suffer with it it isn't that simple. It can cause major self-body image issues. Many of the affected wear wigs, false eyelashes and have fake eyebrows to hide their condition. Some people are able to relish and embrace their new look, but for others this is a massive struggle. 

Daniel Regan's aim is to beautify the condition and patch up the damaged self-esteem that comes alongside hairloss. He believes that it mainly distresses women because by loosing the hair on their body that society puts such pressure on causes them to feel like less of a woman. Although, many men do also suffer with forms of alopecia such as male pattern baldness and the effects of aging but still don't embrace it. 

Regan invites people along to be photographed, as and how they feel comfortable with. He said in the discussion that for some people that involves a quick chat to get to know the model and then photography but for others they feel more comfortable and stay chatting for hours, with endless cups of tea, before being photographed. He likes to collaborate with and get to know his models and their views on the condition before photographing them because he feels it gives a more humanised and personal story behind the images.

With it being thought that the condition is affecting 1.7% of the population, it must be publicised as something to not be ashamed of, but instead be happy being yourself. He feels that in the medical world everything is just figures and statistics, but these are real people being affected by a condition that not only affects the body but also the mind.

"The true message of the project is that it's OK being you, but most importantly being the you that you choose."

Peace out xo