Eliza Stephens is a Suffolk based visual artist whose work focuses on documenting the interweaving of social and personal realities in the lives of her and her friends. With over 20 years of experience as a storyteller and editor in broadcast documentary television, Eliza has now moved her attention to telling stories within the photographic medium.

 

“I want to tell stories with 12 frames instead of using hours of footage shot over many months, I believe a single photograph can express the true essence of life.”

 

Eliza has worked on many groundbreaking documentaries and was part of the team that won The Grierson, Broadcast, and The Royal Society of Television awards for Best Documentary in 2016 - ‘Here Come The Romanians’, produced by Keo Films for Channel 4. Eliza is passionate about food and education and has had two cookery books published. She also runs a lively and successful Thai restaurant and bar on the Suffolk coast.

 

Recent photographic projects include:

 

Corona vision – “Good Morning Mr Orwell” An exploration into the realms of Hyper Reality and the Main Stream Media’s representations of the pandemic during the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Using the portal of televisions as the eye of God, combined with the enforced isolation of lockdown, this project narrates the first 60 days of this life-altering global event. 2020, Exhibition Project, ongoing.

 

Memento - ‘An object that you keep to remember a person, place or event’ An exploration of hoarding, grief, and attachment. A personal investigation into the objects that surround us, how we perceive stuff and mementos as a form of protection when perhaps we are really surrounded by a wall of grief and a lack of self-validation. Ultimately an investigation into concepts of mortality, eternity, acceptance, and ceremony leading to a path of meditative spirituality. 2020, Ongoing.

 

Not Drowning – A study following the rhythms of a woman’s daily life, her moments of joy taken while she navigates the demands of being a full-time carer for her elderly parents. Exploring this balancing act, observing her daily swims in the North Sea, her art, and other moments of self invigoration. 2019, Exhibition Project.

 

Dancing With Trains – Life and death in the treatment centre. A documentary project following the lives of a group of people in treatment for mental health issues. Their struggles and success for some but also the tragic death of others. 2019, Book project.

 

“Bish Bosh” – Turn your back on cancer. An intermit portrait of a cancer diagnosis, The initial cycle of treatment, navigation of the welfare system, getting the all-clear and then being told there was a mistake and the diagnosis was now terminal. 2018, Ongoing. Educational Exhibition Project.

 

Road Rash – The mistaken pride of a cyclist who is rescued from a fall on a dark night in Suffolk. 2018.