Over the years, I’ve worked many different types of jobs in between curving a way forward within documentary photography, when I saw this work by Sophie, I found it instantly relatable, the relationship we have with this thing called work and the work you have to do to survive in between finding work that you love because they say if you do what you love, it won’t feel like work? I love these short testimonies and insights into people’s lives and their feelings while working. The work also makes me think of one of my favorite books, #nyc by Jeff Mermelstein, photos of people’s mobile phone screens’ lives seen and read through overseen text messages, published by Mack Books. Insights into our thoughts and feelings. CJ
CJ: How did this work begin?
SS: I started these text pieces when I went back to work after one of many Covid lockdowns. During that time I think many people started to question the type of work they did and the meaning behind it and if it was making them happy in the long run - There was a lot of time to think at this point! I think it became a good way to moan about things that were happening around me and a good way to discuss this feeling of inertia that a lot of people were questioning when they went back to work. Sophie Stewart @ihatesmoltalk
DM your stories to Sophie - posts remain anonymous 🤍
Created by @stew.art.s Linktree @stew.art.s
Sophie Stewart @ihatesmoltalk
SS: In a way, it's a collaboration of discussions and experiences between myself and my colleagues or people who have spoken to me in passing about jobs they have had or are still in. My text work has previously been more formal with set questions and more of an interview-style setup. But, this has taken a more informal approach - I often write them in my phone notes after a shift or right in the middle of a conversation with someone, when I'm like wait! I need to write this down! It's easier working in the moment like this and laughing with others about our shitty jobs, I love how people engage when we have these discussions and I always encourage people to get in touch with stories they want to share about pointless jobs, or undignified work or just if something is annoying them and they want it off their chest! Putting them on Instagram as well was a good way to feel connected when we were in this weird virtual world and now it's just continued on here because I hope when somebody is doom scrolling it gives them a laugh or some relatable content, which in turn opens up the discussion of a lot of issues there are with this type of work and what the heck we are doing with our time and things may change in the future of hospitality, hopefully for the better! Sophie Stewart @ihatesmoltalk
DM your stories to Sophie - posts remain anonymous 🤍
Thank you Sophie, for allowing me to feature your work! I love it. CJ