Millie Speight has a multi-disciplinary practice that has a primary focus on the exploration of the vintage film slides with modern technology. Through digital processes such as projection methods, editing software, as well as traditional practices, her artwork explores this juxtaposition of old and new. Working with found images from ‘lost’ photographers, her practice has seen an attempt to re-contextualise them, focusing not only on the subject, but the entire form of the physical image.

Medium Format film slides have provided the basis of her practice. The unique look that the square shape provides and the versatility of the film, combined with the cardboard casing adds further inspiration to the production of her work. While examining the history behind the slides, the discovery of their original use – to illustrate the photographers lectures and books – was informative, it did not however influence her approach, rather it inspired a further depth of intention behind her work which became focused on the physicality of the film. The freedom to break down the 6×6 film into parts and the ability to put it back together through digital processes has allowed a playfulness to appear within Millie work.

Inspired by the likes of Stan Brakhage for his explorative and experimentation filled video work, Millie’s work predominately inspired and led by the work of painters, such as Anne Griffiths and Dean Fox. The contemporary style that shifts from landscape to abstraction that can be seen within their work inspired her use of a digital processes as a form of sketching. It was this process that heightened Millie’s interest in exploring the tensions, contrasts and interactions between modern and older media.

Instagram: @mspeightart