Synapse Festival | Artists

From quite early on Elena Smith realised that photography was her passion. She knew this ever since, she very first put her hands on an Olympus OM10 at the age of 9 on a cold winter’s night in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

In 1994, Elena along with her parents, moved to her mother’s homeland, Limassol Cyprus. There Elena became more in touch with her cultural background and learned to be part of a new society. Elena believes that this drastic change in her life made her the artist that she is today and is very thankful for it.

Since then, Elena has reached out to many aspects of art but always found herself back where she began, capturing memories with photography. In 2004 Elena ventured to the UK to start her education at the University of Derby, since then she has finished her BA (Hons) in Fine Art and is now only a few months away from finishing her Masters in Advanced Art and Design also at the University of Derby.

Elena’s current work is based around the current economic crisis, the recession, and consumerism. Elena is photographing the ‘wreckage’ and the ‘abandonment’ of the vacant retail facilities in the derby area. She has photographed the vacant premises in the Westfield Shopping Centre in Derby City Centre and is currently experimenting with the shops in the old town centre. Elena wants to capture the sadness and the depression that is directly related to consumerism and is representing those whom have been affected by this current economic recession.

Elena Smith | 07786543520 | elenamichellesmith@yahoo.co.uk | doodlephotos.tumblr.com