Exploring "My False Freedom" by Matthew Callaway: A Journey from Isolation to Visual Expression

By Bethany Harrison

Photography is more than a medium for capturing what we see; it's a conduit for emotion and perspective. ‘My False Freedom’ by Matthew Callaway delves deeply into the complexities of freedom and confinement that many experienced during lockdown. It’s not just a portfolio of images; it’s a deeply personal journey into how prolonged isolation can alter one’s perception of the world outside.

Callaway offers viewers a rare look at how isolation can blur our perception of the world and ourselves. His work highlights how freedom, a concept often associated with clarity and light, can be anything but simple for those who have experienced prolonged confinement. Through this haunting and evocative series, Callaway not only challenges the notion of what it means to be "free," but also shows how art can become a medium for processing and expressing experiences that words alone might struggle to convey.

His extended isolation during lockdown didn’t simply end when restrictions were lifted—it had shifted his perception, making the outside world feel unfamiliar, even frightening. Instead of a straightforward transition to "freedom," Callaway experienced something closer to false freedom; while others embraced outdoor spaces, he struggled to reintegrate. His visual work is a powerful representation of this emotional landscape, showcasing the unique way he saw the outside world during and after lockdown.

The photographs in ‘My False Freedom’ are hazy, unclear, and almost dreamlike—far from the sharp, vibrant landscapes typical in the genre. These images aren't a depiction of physical landscapes but of an internal, emotional one. Using techniques inspired by abstract landscape photographer Andrew S. Gray, Callaway has employed long exposure and intentional camera movement to achieve his desired effect. The result is a set of images that convey a sense of lingering fear and discomfort, of a mind still somewhat trapped in a space it had to occupy for so long.

Check out his full portfolio here