Polly Freeman is a fine art photographer based in Cornwall, UK, whose photographic practice forges a visual response to her personal narratives. Rooted in lived experience, and informed by stories, Polly’s work divulges family history, experiences with her deafness, and the fluctuations of mental health.

Polly’s photography is shaped by literature and poetry, which share qualities of a visual matter in the sense that they guide one another. She is most inspired by the written word of those who explore themes of nostalgia, the self, and family. She is drawn to landscapes that mirror her own sensory experience and emotions, especially within the wilds of Cornwall. The ruggedness of places unseen makes her question our relationship with nature, and how it can mimic the human experience.

Polly utilises imagery to question how she can inhabit in an increasingly visual world, and how she can respond to stories that others have told her. Engaging with stories allows her to understand more about her own identity.