Post-Apocalyptic Outerland

The landscape photographer Allison Davies uses the camera to capture the future's dystopian landscape with the playfulness of a child creating a fantasy world.

Davies makes these spaces otherworldly by excluding any evidence of the developed world and by interjecting herself into the frame wearing a strange protective suit. The images appear as if the apocalypse has come and gone, leaving only Allison unharmed.  "Outerland", the full 65 image series, is available as a book in a collaboration with Charles Lane Press that was edited by Richard Renaldi.

The following is Allison's interview with Allyson Thompson, Reality Sandwich contributing editor:

1. What's your personal mantra?

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

2. What does the role of Artist mean to you?

I feel pretentious referring to myself as an artist. I just happen to
make things.

3. What is the driving force behind your creativity?

The same as my mantra. I have to get out there. If I stay in, I may
never go out again.

4. What transformative experiences have influenced your life and how
has that manifested in your work?

I have been through periods of agoraphobia. Nothin' like fear to make
me light a fire under my ass.

5. How long does it take you on average to complete a piece of work,
and do you ever do several pieces simultaneously?

My current project has be on-going for over 10 years.

6. Why should people check out your work?

They could get lost for a few minutes.

7. How does your work affect Consciousness, and what are your views on
the evolution of consciousness?

My work depends on a suspension of disbelief. You have to give up what
you know, and what you want to know, and open yourself to questions
that may not be answerable. Everyone wants to know where my pictures
were taken. Why do you need to know? What is that going to tell you?
What are you afraid of? Just hang on and see where they take you.