Anaya Engineer

Seeing the Unseen

If art did not constantly change, it would cease to exist as a living form. The definition of art is ever expanding with both physical and digital media evolving rapidly. My work represents a constant search to engage as an artist with our ever-changing world. Things change, surroundings change, and therefore so does the context within which I photograph. It is like the dance of the Dervish within which I try to find my center.

The intersection of photography and fashion is fascinating to me. It brings to life color, shades of light, design, texture, and movement. Although unseen, the fashion designer, the make-up artist, and the creative teams doing the stage, lighting, props, and accessories, complete the picture.

Cicada, Cicada, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

This garment is created by Julian Gourley, a junior fashion designer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). This unique creation roots from is the idea of “gross bugs” as Julian quotes. Cicada is a bug that comes out of the ground and leaves shells when it sheds. The texture, colour, and flexibility of the leather is meant to resemble gross bugs. I photographed this garment in studio using orange gels and a greyish-black background. The aim was to bring out light from the leather creating a glow. The posture is inspired by the stillness of the material.

La Induccion, Look 2, La Induccion, Look 2, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

La Induccion is a series of three looks. The garments are made by Juju Marie Rodriguez, a Post-Baccalaureate fashion designer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). This photograph represents look 2 of the three looks. The frilly and fragile element to this outfit made the model look like a ballerina. It had opportunity for movement and stillness and the same time. The strength of the garment paired well with the subtle hand gestures and tilted pose.

La Induccion, Look 3, La Induccion, look 3, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

La Induccion is a series of three looks. The garments are made by Juju Marie Rodriguez, a Post-Baccalaureate fashion designer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). This garment in this image had the most intense look out of the three. It covered up the most mass on the model. The action of the model jumping helped bring out the intensity and depth of the material. The jacket is heavily layered with fabric and the pant has a thick metal belt. The jump was therefore definitely not easy to establish but eventually created a subtle yet strong impact.

Anaya Engineer - La Induccion, looks 1-3

La Induccion, looks 1-3, La Induccion, looks 1-3, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

La Induccion is a series of three looks. The garments are made by Juju Marie Rodriguez, a Post-Baccalaureate fashion designer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Juju’s work revolves around crochet and fibers. The dark background and red gels are used to bring out the intense colours used to create this garment. We worked closely to plan the poses and make-up for this shoot. The red line across their faces was a decision we were very pleased with. This photograph represents all three looks. A fashion teacher at SAIC claimed that it looks like “an intense TV commercial.” Our aim was to create a strong profile and leave its representation open to interpretation.

Dancing Sequins, Dancing Sequins, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

This garment is created by Jackie Wolf-Schmidt, a junior fashion designer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Her work is usually inspired by recycled material and thrifted fabrics. This outfit is made using handmade aluminum can sequins which took an insane amount of labour to bring together. Jackie and I are ambassadors at the Chicago Fashion Coalition (CFC) and enjoy collaborating together. We planned the action and style for this shoot with the attempt to emphasize movement and glow.

Anaya Engineer - Cultural Embellishments

Cultural Embellishments, Cultural Embellishments, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

This photograph features look 5 from Rhea Singh’s senior fashion collection at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Her collection is based on an exploration of the concept of escapism through the Mughal textiles that were brought to India in the 1500s. These eyeball pants and coat were created by the designer herself and digitally printed. The photographic decision to make this black and white was to bring out the shape, movement, and flexibility that this garments offers.

To The Moon, To The Moon, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

This garment is created by Maxine Audrey, a junior fashion designer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). During my initial conversation with Maxine, I was so sure that I wanted to photograph her garment. Even though the outfit is less flexible, the model handled the material and its weight very successfully. We used blue gels on either side and went for an intense look. The decision to keep the lights in the frame was deliberate. The lights played a huge role in emphasizing Maxine’s garment and her concept. It was not too bright, not too strong but just right. The glasses added a playful element and completed the look.

Through Skin, Through Skin, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 17 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

This garment consists of a variety of materials that come together beautifully. The different textures and thicknesses present in a deliberate and successful manner. This look is created by Azul Gutierrez, a junior designer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). The different fabrics created a few complexities but came together to create a very subtle, soft, and scenic mood. I used blue gels to even out the mix of green, yellow, and white.

Captivating Contrasts, Captivating Contrasts, 2023, Digital Photography, 11 x 14 in, Photo By Anaya Engineer

I have always wanted to collaborate with my classmates and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. The hat and corset is created by Bailey Zeller, a junior fashion designer at SAIC. The chair is made by Uma Kamat, a senior interior designer at SAIC. The model is Ava Reimers, a growing model and junior visual communicator at SAIC. It was so interesting to see these contrasting yet communicative pieces coming together. Everyone was as excited as me to be capturing these captivating moments. I used multiple exposures for this image, with the aim to capture the details in abstraction.

I believe that “to teach is to learn.” I am a people’s person. I enjoy working individually and in teams, while both learning and contributing. I recently displayed my work at the South Asia Institute (SAI) and one of my installations was installed on the main wall of my campus building at SAIC. These experiences have taught me that curation, communication, and collaboration are critical success factors in much of the work I have done.

The viewer plays a significant role in my process. Interaction gives me an opportunity to learn from the viewer. The 9 work samples that I have uploaded are examples of teamwork, ideation, and collaboration. Designers have so much to offer and have to constantly think of new concepts and styles. Often in these interactions, I am reinterpreting my own work, seeing it from different angles and thinking of ideas for the future. Combining photography with fashion has helped me discover subtle meanings, “the unseen” within my art. The unevenness, irregularity, and unusual patterns, help me find different perspectives to understand my world. Subtle changes in color, texture, and form give life to a piece and can have unlimited narrations. I want to draw the viewers in to discover their own meanings within their mind’s eye.

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