A journey of self-exploration led Chris Borshowa to creating his newest photography exhibit, 鈥淏ecoming Human鈥�, which will be on display starting mid-February until the end of March.
While working on the exhibit, Borshowa embraced his inner struggles of emotions, embracing the opportunity to explore and utilize new photography to truly express his inner vision to the world.
鈥淭he reason I choose the title of the exhibit is because these are emotions that humans deal with on a regular basis,鈥� said Borshowa. 鈥淚t can be hard to swallow that, but to become your true self, it is important to accept that these emotions are real and they are always there, whether they conquer you, or you conquer them.鈥�
The idea for the 鈥淏ecoming Human鈥� exhibit originated from an internal struggle that Borshowa had felt over a year ago. 鈥淚 was going through some weird internal issues, mostly directed at my age. I felt a little out of place, that I was no longer a child, but not quite an adult. I was trying to figure out how I existed in that world. It was an internal struggle, and using photography was my way to purge it, accepting that I am just human.鈥�
Initially, Borshowa wanted to do a five-piece photography exhibit, with each image being a different model who would embrace an emotional representation of what Borshowa was feeling.
鈥淚t was challenging to accept that what I was feeling was real. It was important to me to use my photography to express those feelings. The only way for me to deal with these emotions was to accept them however I could. Sometimes it can be hard to face that internal struggle by putting your life on display.鈥�
As Borshowa reflected on what he wanted to express, he decided that instead of using five different people, he would have only one model. Then as he worked and bonded with that model, the exhibit strengthened into a 15-piece exploration of his emotions and his technical skills.
鈥淭he technical side of this exhibit is really different for me. This exhibit is more open than previous exhibits,鈥� said Borshowa. 鈥淭he lighting is more open and there is barely any dark shadows. There are a lot of light tones, which contrasted with the darker tones of the exhibit. I also did a few more Photoshop tricks, that were new skills that I had developed in the past few years.鈥�
鈥淭his exhibit does adhere to the finer arts aspect of the medium, which is what I really want to do. I like it, because it is very simple. There are no flashy clothes, the colours are pretty muted, and it is a different tone that I have exhibited before,鈥� said Borshowa. 鈥�
A lot of my work can be a little theatrical, a little extreme. I want my work to stand out. If that means making an image kind of uncomfortable to look at 鈥� that is what I am going to do.鈥�
To truly embrace the photography exhibit, Borshowa worked with a supportive team, calling upon those who had make-up, lighting, marketing and modeling expertise to bring his exhibit to life.
鈥淭his exhibit was something very important to me, and was very heavy on my heart, so I didn鈥檛 want just anyone working with me. The people who were involved knew my story, and could adapt my ideas throughout the whole project. It was important to know that there were people who get my idea, and didn鈥檛 judge my emotional expression.鈥�
鈥淚f it wasn鈥檛 for these people helping me, and supporting me, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to do it,鈥� said Borshowa. 鈥淲ith a good support system, you collaborate ideas, and sometimes there is a new fresh idea that will open the whole thing to something different. It was really cool to see the exhibit transform from my initial idea into the finished product.鈥�
Selecting a suitable model was also an important step to Borshowa, and there was a strong emotional connection between him and Rickee-Lee that strengthen the project. 鈥淚 wanted someone who I knew I could connect to on an emotional level, but also someone who would be game for creating something that was primarily for me. Rickee-Lee is a chameleon; she was able to become the characters in the photos.鈥�
鈥淚 am just so honored to work with Chris again,鈥� said Rickee-Lee. 鈥淚 have followed him from the beginning, watched him adhere to what he is passionately drawn to. He is expressing his inner thoughts, being open about his vulnerability and his emotions. Personally, I can relate to this exhibit, the battle with identity, dark feelings that are encountered and questioned, the struggle sometimes of being human.鈥�
鈥淚t is very brave for Chris to share these emotions with the world, it creates an opportunity for others to express their awareness, or their perception, whatever that belief may be. Some may relate and some may dispute, ultimately there will be an impact, an impression.鈥� said Rickee-Lee.
鈥淐hris is a professional and an artist. There are many people who have experienced that during his career. He has uncovered so many lives. He is comfortable, excited and eager, creating a space for his models to feel the same. With some laughter, encouragement and vision, masterpieces are devised.鈥�
Borshowa noted that while there are a few darker tones in the exhibit, there are also a lot of themes that hint to earlier exhibits that he had worked on. 鈥淎 lot of photos express anxiety and depression, that might be specific to one person, but still everyone feels that at one point in their life. This exhibit is expressing a little bit of everything in my life.鈥�
Since first becoming a photographer five years ago, Borshowa feels that he has matured a lot and that his emotional growth is a lot different from where he started. He also feels fortunate to have learned new Photoshop tricks, and a lot about using dead space and the Rule of Three that have changed the way he takes photos. 鈥淯sing these skills in the moment felt very normal, because I was so focused on the subject. But when I reviewed the photos, I noted that it was so different compared to my previous exhibits.鈥�
鈥淐hris is growing and developing, it鈥檚 exciting to see him use these new skills and tricks. I think he is magic, absolutely magic,鈥� said Rickee-Lee.
In his photography career, Borshowa estimates that he has worked with over 200 people and his hard drive filled with thousands of photos. 鈥淭here have been times when I was frustrated, because I felt backlogged, over-worked, or that it felt hard. But when people tell me that they love what I have done 鈥� that is when I know that I am supported. It makes me want to better myself, and keep transcending. There is so much more I want to do.鈥�
To see Borshowa鈥檚 magic in person, residents are encouraged to view the 鈥淏ecoming Human鈥� exhibit on display starting February 13, with the public reception being held February 17 at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery at 7 p.m. Residents can also find Chris Borshowa on Facebook to follow his 鈥淏ecoming Human鈥� posts and behind-the-scenes experiences.
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