Tom Butler’s Self-Portrait Series

In this series of disarming black and white self-portraits, English photographer Tom Butler contorts his body, holding elegant poses that show only the top of his head.

The series reads like a contemporary dance piece; Butler’s body casting shapes that confuse and intrigue — his bald head the small, ever-present reminder that the contortionist is indeed a person and not some kind of arachnid sculpture. In an interview with GUP Magazine, Butler explained the premise of his portrait series as follows: “I attempt to reduce myself as much as possible to a singular form. Instead of presenting myself in a recognizable way, I appear concealed, ambiguous or even monstrous.”

All images © Tom Butler