In this episode, Mike Raven speaks to his good friend Ëpha J. Roe - an artist and writer whose expansive work utilises both traditional and alternative photographic techniques to examine the complex relationship between humans, the natural world, cultural heritage, and identity.

The conversation explores Ëpha's photography and writing, his anthropological and highly conceptual approach to image-making, the personal experiences that have shaped his practice, and the immense power that creativity has held for him in discovering and embracing a true sense of self.

Inspired by the growing interest in plant intelligence and the increasing socio-political concern surrounding climate change, Ëpha's artistic practice and PhD studies interrogate how humans conceptualise and relate to the plant kingdom through mythological, scientific and cultural means. His work is also deeply informed by explorations of heritage, identity, gender, perception, presentation and the anthropological nature of creativity itself.

Through our conversation, Ëpha shares insights into finding similarities between nature and personal identity, the importance of creativity as a means of self-expression and empowerment, the role of research and theory in their practice, and the constant evolution of the self.

Follow Ëpha @ephajroe, Mike @mikeraven and Self Esteem @slfestm on Instagram, and see more of Ëpha's work at www.ephajroe.com and www.slfestm.com

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