Portraits

Tara Travis, a professional actor, was hired to enact three characters based on Elizabeth Milton’s deceased family members. After studying photographs, character biographies and descriptions of physical and vocal idiosyncrasies, Travis took on the role of Milton’s maternal grandmother (Baba), paternal grandmother (Nana) and uncle (Bobby).  The artist and actor entered family homes inhabited by each character and enacted a series of improvisational performances based around the process of taking the character’s photographic portrait. All performative interactions were documented by a video camera, acknowledged by both participants.