Martha

Artist Statement
My practice as a photographer surrounds the themes of narrative and storytelling, surrealism, and feeling. My images present a sense of being in the moment, and are open enough for audiences to have their own experiences while connecting with my work.
A lot of my work is based off of my own writing and experiences. For example my most recent project, Habitual Musing, is based on my recent experience with mental health. Drawing from my personal journal entries, this project reimagines my thoughts and feelings into a series of photographs. These photographs act as an aid to navigate an entangled and complex set of unresolved emotions. Made in a studio with coloured gels and a slow shutter speed, these self portraits create a sense of uncertainty and confusion that reflects a state of mind.
A key aspect of my research is the exploration of performance works. Majority of my works are self portraits, performed based off of a narrative. This allows me to fully express and experiment with emotions and ways in which I can present a narrative to my audiences. Experiments and using a variety of techniques is what has helped me identify what type of photographer I am, and has helped me to discover my own identity as an artist.

Artist Biography
Martha Hayes-Watkins (b, 2004) is a photographer from Kent. She is currently studying BA Photography at Brighton University. Hayes-Watkin’s practice is focused on colour theory and performative investigations to establish a space for conversations about mental health and wellbeing. Hayes-Watkins will graduate in 2026 with a BA(Hons) Photography.