Chloe Insley
Photography
Artist Statement
Plants have a calming and healing presence; they are strong and resilient. But what happens if they are sick or injured? They keep growing. Even though the plant is scarred, it is still beautiful. Even though humans have scars, they are still beautiful. People don’t like to talk about their scars, there are even products out there that reduce and cover them.
These photographs, from the series I Forgot What it’s Like to Release Dopamine, were taken with a magnifying filter, focusing on the imperfections of living plants and expose their beauty. There is no need to be ashamed of our scars, for scars are proof we have lived.
Atomoxetine, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Lithium, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 15x12
Olazapine, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Sertraline, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Lorazepam, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 15x12
Naltrexone, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Gabapentin, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Bupropn, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 15x12
Clozapine, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Olanzapine, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Lamotrigine, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Fluoxetine, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Loprazolam, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Trazadone, 2023, Archival InkJet Print, 12x15
Artist Bio
Chloe Insley attended Naperville Central High School where they explored almost every artistic media offered. It wasn’t until the end of their high school career in 2015 that they first fell in love with photography. Chloe gained most of their technical skills in photography while attending Southern Illinois Carbondale while pursuing their bachelor's degree in art from 2015 to 2017. They returned to photography at Northern Illinois University during the Covid lockdown in 2020. It was here that Chloe began to photograph the concepts of mental health, memory loss, and identity.
Chloe worked with the Center for Burma Studies, documenting their textile collection as well as exhibitions. They were published in the Journal of Burma Studies volume 26.1 and 26.2. Chloe has had work exhibited at the Ellwood House Museum, the Annette & Jerry Johns Gallery, and 4th Street Gallery. They participated in creating the World’s Largest Paper Snowflake.