I forgot where I first heard it, but it always stuck with me that every work of an artist is a form of a self portrait. Every image chosen, composed, and created is a reflection of the internal workings of an artists mind. It is common to see characteristics of an artist's own face in every portrait consciously or not. I guess in defining what a self portrait it is as difficult as it is to define the self. Where does one begin and where does one end? Are we the components of our experience? Our soul? Our mind? How do these things translate into art? I've been working on a still life of an Egyptian cat statue, a clock, a tape measure, and a cell phone with maybe something else. Is this a self-portrait? It reflects what I think, what I see, what I choose. It could be a commentary on where one exists in space and time and the friction between mortality and eternity.
I have recently taken several photographs that include myself but for me they are not self portraits but attempts at representing other ideas. I just happen to be the available model. Are they not as much self-portraits than if I had someone else stand in? If every creation by an artist is an extension of themselves, than are pictures of others self portraits of the artist too? Where is the line drawn? Where does the model get their own self ownership?
For me, this is not a self portrait although it is me.
This is more so a self portrait.