Adding to my phobias series, I explored the fear of feet. This was a unique fear my friend had that I found fascinating. After she gave me some descriptions of triggers and emotional and physical response to the fear I created an SFX composition of feet (click here to see). But, I saw an opportunity to look at this phobia in a more sculptural way.

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After looking at Louis Bourgeois' 'Legs' instillation, I came up with the idea to create plaster cast foot moulds as a trigger and to use them for a photographic composition.

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I used two different models, one for each foot. I would mix up the alginate power with water and they would keep their bare foot in it until it set after which they could remove their foot carefully. I would fill the rubbery mould with plaster and leave it to set. 

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Due to mixing issues and moisture content, the first foot's mould ended up being dry and crumbly, making the sculpture come out with a bumpy texture and growths. The second foot's mould ended up being too wet, so when the plaster set the mould had been flattened by the jelly-like texture. It also made the plaster fragile and the foot lost a lot of toes and definition.

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However, all of these inconveniences actually made the final outcome more impactful. The feet came out not only looking like ancient statues, but like disgusting, deformed limbs.

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When arranging the feet, I wanted to make them seem as if they were from the same person or statue. I tried putting them in positions that echo some sort of realism as well as emphasising the strangeness of them. I used a black backdrop and no light to create a floating look that added to the uneasy appearance.