Anne-Marie Michel – Q&A - The Flux Review

Anne-Marie Michel is a photographic artist based in London. Her current project ‘Sisters of the Road’ is a series of portraits of American female truckers and the landscapes they travel. The upcoming book tells the individual stories of the 40 women, in their own words, alongside their portraits.

Of The Road

Self-taught or art school?

Art school — BA Fashion photography & MA Fashion & Film (both at London College of Fashion)

If you could own one work of art what would it be?

Pennsylvania Coal Town by Edward Hopper — I remember spending hours as a child staring at this painting in our local gallery; The Butler Art Institute in Youngstown, Ohio, USA.

Terri Solem

How would you describe your style?

Portraiture and documentary with a nod to my fashion photography roots.

Of The Road -II

Can you tell us about your artistic process?

I record interviews with all of my portrait sitters first, I want to hear about their life and experiences and then make a portrait which reflects them and the environment they inhabit. I am of the mindset of ‘making’ an image rather than ’taking’ an image.

Michelle Kitchen

Is narrative important within your work?

Yes. ‘Sisters of the Road’, for example, is a series of images and interviews of American female truckers. Collectively they tell a story of their world in their own words.

Kelia Keams

Who are your favourite artists and why?

Alfred Hitchcock, Edward Hopper, David Lynch, Richard Wagner – They all have their own unique vision of the world – with a shared love of beauty and light, amplified with an edge of uneasiness.

Idella Hansen I’ve been out here 50 years. Even got a truck-stop named after me. I currently drive high security, my trailer is lined with Kevlar. At 64 they gave me a gun and taught me how to use it. Never seen one before in my life. Itís a good job and I earn good money. I do have a partner, um but to be real honest with you, if he went away it wouldnít bother me. I mean, I couldnít do the job Iím doing without him: requires two people and I trust him. But if he went away Iím perfectly -even at 67- Iím perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Iíve never considered myself a feminist. I really donít know the definition. But everybody should be able to take care of themselves. This is the thing Iíve taught both my girls, to be independent, self sufficient. When I canít drive I don’t want to exist anymore. When I can’t do this or be a part of it… I’m done. I donít want to do anything else. I might like a little more time at home to pursue quilting. Maybe devote a little more time to the Church, my activities there. Sing a little more. Singing washes away the dust of everyday life. That ís a quote. And I think it ís very apt. It heals me. So I would probably like a little more time for that.

What or who inspires your art?

Beautiful light & the feeling of freedom.

Donna Brackbill

Where’s your studio and what’s it like?

My studio is in East London, UK. – A small space packed to the ceiling with art and photo books. Most of my time is spent here editing, sequencing and researching.