Edward Cushenberry develops polaroids without a camera, using pencils and pens instead

The Los Angeles-based artist Edward Cushenberry uses the format of the polaroid to explore the people and places that make him who he is. But, he doesn’t do so in the ‘traditional’ way – he draws them. Choosing coloured pencils and inks over photography, Edward’s pieces are still framed and captured like photo. Figures – often loosely based on Edwards friends – are candid and seemingly capture in motion, these images are then made dynamic and animated with the slivers of dialogue offered as hand-drawn captions. One reads, ‘You’re so weird, dude! Just take the picture already!’ Edward explains that the project surrounds a “fictional, nameless photographer who documents the people in his life; and a photo documentary project of those who are close to me”. He cites major the influences of Larry Clark, Nan Goldin, Percival Everett – fellow watchers and documenters of people – as a key influences.

The origins of the project and Edward’s desire to interest in the entanglements of like and relationships – are quite unique, with Edward pointing to an interaction with his father as key. He tells us: “One Saturday morning when I was a teenager my dad woke me up and, unprompted, told me, ‘Everything is a relationship: girlfriends, friends, family. It doesn’t matter. The people close to you can make their exit out of your life, either by choice or by death. Act accordingly.’ He then told me breakfast was ready before walking out of my room.” Certainly, Edward’s work feels like the moments, from the mundane to the strange, that make up your life.