Born and Bred:
Candace L. Bailey (b. 1982) was born in the South, moved around, and traveled extensively. This American/Caymanian artist, with a rebellious temperament, took to her first 35mm camera at the age of 13. Since witnessing her initial print emerge in her makeshift darkroom at the age of 15, Bailey was captivated by the camera's ability to metamorphose her preconceptions into something profound and intricate - Silver, Burned, Developed.
Education/Studio Life:
In 2008, Candace Bailey graduated from Texas State University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Photographic Imaging. Amidst getting her degree, the world seemed to instantaneously switch from chemicals and enlargers to inkjet printing labs and computers. With the digital age quickly approaching, she decided to further her education before moving back to Grand Cayman. In 2012, she earned her Master of Fine Art degree in Fine Art Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where her primary focus was photography with a multidisciplinary approach to print-making.
Candace Bailey currently works and resides in the Cayman Islands, where she runs her own artisan studio, Black Sheep Studio (est. 2013), which is fittingly situated in the heart of the Kennedy Gallery. The word Black Sheep has many implications to her both personally and professionally. “I like to do things differently. I would emphasize the point, in my opinion, just as much as craft, skill, and artistry go into making a digital print as ever went into a print made in the chemical darkroom. The vision and care required are much the same, but the specific skills required are different.”
For Candace Bailey, photographing and printing are more than a profession. It’s a passion and an escape. “I am a visual storyteller. Photography allows the opportunity to turn a moment into permanence. Life holds thousands of moments worth remembering. Through printing, these moments are transformed into heirlooms—pieces that endure over time. Despite the continuous evolution of technology, these heirlooms can be shared and preserved across generations.
Artist Statement:
Bailey’s practice considers all facets of the photographic image: the concept, the process, and the print. “Each part is rewarding. I am an advocate of unconventional photography: out-of-the-box thinking, unusual processes, and unique interpretations.”
Her working process is mostly lens-based but can be quite complex. She employs various photographic methods, such as toy cameras, alternative processes, mixed media, and Photoshop. It is what she calls conscious creation. She allows the pieces to evolve intuitively, not knowing what the result may become. Some images are dreamlike; all are ambiguous. Her work changes with every new project, and it is always drastically different. “I feel the need to revamp myself frequently in order to keep growing.”
She hardly manages to emerge from the shadows but finds refuge in art. Bailey has a developing collection of decisive moments, both found and staged. Candace’s motto: “I seek out the unordinary in the ordinary. I want to see the soul.” While she doesn't strictly adhere to one idea, her camera serves as a reflective tool, aiding her in self-discovery. When life seems overwhelming and full of uncertainties, Bailey spends a lot of time looking at art and seeks out the beauty and she never tires of doing so.
The most valuable lesson she has learned from photography and fine art printing is that perfection may be unattainable, but improvement is constant. Bailey consistently emphasizes the significance of the fine art print, stating, "Printing is when an artist truly claims ownership of their work, with each decision carrying significant weight. That's the moment you unveil it to the world, where it will live forever. The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is sharing your work with others, enabling them to perceive what you envisioned and sense what you felt. If you can transport someone there mentally, then consider your mission accomplished.” Through her art, she invites us to see the world through her eyes and experience the beauty and complexity that surrounds us.
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