kiele twarowski written by michelle ledesma photography by mckenzie mcadams
Being a woman alone stirs fear in the eyes of some because of the braveness we’ve acquired throughout the years. Feminism has paved the way for women who want to change the world, especially women who are creatives in an industry dominated by men. Nonetheless, it will be a game changer for women creatives to partake in a whirlwind adventure of creativity on their own. Kiele Twarowski, a photographer from Savannah, Georgia, is taking the world by storm. Her photos are whimsical and raw. They show an inkling of the sour truth, yet she leaves you with a bit of mystery in each photo she takes. You’ll find yourself in awe when you notice the tiny freckles on the face of the model, or maybe you’ll happen to notice the pink or purple hues of the photo leaving you with the utmost of nostalgic feels. Having already obtained fourteen features and three exhibitions, Twarowski has mastered the art of being oneself while creating something wonderful to show the world what she is capable of. Most would know how hard it is to break into an industry, especially when the industry is already bombarded with equally amazing hard workers. Twarowski’s recent exhibition in Los Angeles, California, #girlgaze: a frame of mind, is an exhibit made to support female photographers behind the camera that ultimately demonstrate the power of the girl gaze. Twarowski captures the true emotion of the title, showcasing the very unique flaws that makes us who we are. In photos, she unfolds the story of womanhood and the trials and tribulations that make the ride of womanhood all the more worthwhile. As a photographer, you tell stories of life, of failure, of happiness or sadness, and whatever emotions arise throughout the process. I feel that artists feel the most pain, the most suffering, which dotes on their personal work. That’s what makes it so powerful and groundbreaking. Art of any kind is magical itself. I think it may be the most important occupation. As artists we pour our soul into what we believe in and since we believe in it so strongly, it shows. Twarowski defeats what may seem as a daunting task to others; she opens her heart to the world. Some of us don’t have the courage to do so because it makes us vulnerable to the harsh reality of the world, but when I asked about her favorite aspect about being a photographer, she said “I want to hold onto everything and make it look as special as it felt.”
Emotions are the key in creating art. Without feeling, where would we be? Who would we be? We’d only be as helpless as a dream wandering in our head while we lay asleep motionless. Twarowski’s zeal for emotion is noted in her photography. With each graceful pose there is a tale of warmth and self-discovery engulfed from her fingertips down to the camera as she maneuvers the button to flash its light upon the face of the model or the scenery. As enticing as all of her projects are, she insists the #girlgaze exhibition was one for the books. After the exhibition, Twarowski was featured in Teen Vogue and interviewed for LA Weekly. You might be thinking what’s next for Twarowski and her work? When asked, she replied “I’m also trying to create work for and curate a gallery show,” which is an answer I’m sure her fans would be pleased to hear. Within time, you might probably see her work on billboards, magazines, and books galore.
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