Elinor Carucci (born Israel, 1971) created this intimate series of her family over a period of several years, focusing with particular attention on her mother, gradually expanding to include her father and brother, and eventually her husband. Though representing something quite personal, she manages to create a series with a universal feeling of closeness as she demonstrates, in particular, maternal bonds and femininity. With a striking use of colour and attention to detail, Carucci hints at the relationships and influence of those closest to her, composing a beautiful portrayal of varying moods, exposure and affection.

On dancing the line between documenting intimacy and giving space, Carucci says, “I caught myself once, when my father was ill, in bed with high temperature, running for the camera. I stopped. These would be too alienated. Too alienating. Both in terms of human relations, and in terms of art. It is the temptation of the provocative and the vulgar and I try to resist it. Then there is also the relationship between art and life that can’t be preserved, as I see it, if my photographs become too intruding. They thrive on intimacy and can’t afford to undermine it. I can’t show intimacy in any general way, if there is such a thing as general intimacy. I can only say something universal about intimacy through actual intimacy. Mine. The actual real relationships I have with specific people. With these people that I love. The deepest I can reach is within what is most familiar and close. And so I set limits.”