4,5,6

This body of photographs is a result of my fascination with my niece's childhood world. When she was about four years old I became captivated by the intensity with which she experienced her life. Children learn to understand the world through their play and her world is full of dramatic possibilities for adventure, a place where reality and fantasy intermingle seamlessly.

Psychology describes the brain of children under six years old as not fully developed and therefore unable to understand the confines of the physical world. They literally believe they have the power to affect the physical world with their thoughts. I believe this creates an interesting dichotomy between the power of the child's mind and the reality of their physical vulnerability. Everyday life experiences of beauty, humor, and fear seem sped up and intensified in a child's daily life.

With this body of photographs I want to explore this place of play and fantasy by making images with my niece and other children her age. I want to make images that express the almost otherworldliness and physical intensity of the children's experience. I am particularly drawn to photographing girls because of the almost uncanny way it brings me back the experiences of my own childhood. In many ways the photographs depict an observed experience, but are unavoidably influenced by my personal memories and impressions of my one childhood.

Sarah K. Bierman, Chicago.