Redirecting Gaze is an installation presented in two interconnected parts, each contributing to a unified exploration of perception and power.
The first element, a crochet veil, encircles the image on the wall, creating both a physical and conceptual barrier. Its semi-permeable design obstructs yet invites, urging viewers to reconsider how they approach and consume images of women. This tactile intervention disrupts passive observation, compelling the audience to reflect on their role in the act of looking and their relationship to what is revealed and concealed.
At the heart of the work is the imagery-a figure gazing directly through the lens. This unwavering eye contact shifts the dynamic of viewing, positioning the subject, Zoe, as the holder of agency. Her commanding presence resists projection or objectification, instead asserting control over her representation.
Through this gaze, Zoe challenges the viewer to confront their assumptions while holding their attention in a moment of undeniable reciprocity.
The image itself is only fully revealed when viewers step into the crochet-enclosed space. From outside, they glimpse a video of Zoe, her gaze wandering beyond the frame. This version remains obscured, veiled by the crochet barrier, its visibility fragmented. Upon entering, the video transitions to a still image, inviting a deeper engagement with layers of representation and control.
