Francesca Hummler

b. 1997 US-Germany

Based in London (United Kingdom) and San Diego (United States of America)

‘Drawing from my experience as the daughter of German immigrants in the United States, I use my work to investigate the psychological reception of social labels, postmemory and the ways trauma is passed down through generations, not just through the archive, but within the body itself.

Unsere puppenstube [our dollhouse] reflects on the complexities of identity and belonging, especially for those with multiple histories. My sister and I use the dollhouse, a family heirloom, as a symbol of her rightful place within our family’s generational memory, despite external challenges. The series explores themes of adoption, racial identity and emotional connection, inviting viewers to reflect on how we navigate the labels we ascribe to relationships and identities in social settings.

To me, belonging means feeling safe enough to explore what brings you joy and fuels your curiosity. It’s the freedom to express your emotions and have someone respond with, ‘I see you’. It’s about being accepted in your entirety, without judgment, without conditions.

Through my photography, I explore self and identity, capturing the complexities of those with fractured identities, whether cultural or otherwise, and the ways they navigate belonging in the spaces between. My photography itself is the space where I belong, the place I go when I feel disjointed from reality. It anchors me, helping me avoid disassociation and reconnect with myself and those around me.’

francescahummler.com
instagram.com/fransangle

Images:

1-Francesca Hummler, Der Stammbaum, 2021 from the series Unsere Puppenstube © Francesca Hummler

2-Francesca Hummler, Victory, 2021 from the series Unsere Puppenstube © Francesca Hummler

Bringing together 66 artists from across the world, Photo Elysée recently celebrated emerging talent with the exhibition Gen Z: Shaping a New Gaze. As media partner, 1000 Words is featuring the work and accompanying texts of all participating artists in our weekly column dedicated to new voices in contemporary photography.