Valerie PhillipsYOU LEFT YOUR RING ON THE FLOOR

You Left Your Ring on the Floor of My Bedroom is a milestone: Its Phillips’ eighth book, her first with Sara, the only book whose contents have been photographed solely on Phillips’ home turf, and a forbidden publication, created in the 12 hours allowed to them before Sara was ordered to return to LA upon arrival.

Phillips first saw Sara’s face on instagram, through a friend of a friend of a friend. More than just a desire to photograph her, Phillips felt a connection, an emotional reaction to a physical distance from this unknown girl. In true Phillips style she followed her gut; Skype calls followed emails, then the purchase of plane tickets, a fully stocked fridge and fresh bed linen to welcome a guest and Sara was on her way to London for a 10 day meet-and-greet to say hi, to take pictures, and to make a book.

Phillips arrived at the airport to collect Sara at midday. It would take 9 hours before the two would see each other in person. Over the hours that followed Sara was held and Phillips was interrogated. Why would the two want to “work” together if no money was being exchanged? Why couldn’t she simply photograph someone else, someone British? Phillips’ attempts to explain her art process fell on deaf ears. Eventually Sara was released at 9pm to Phillips’ sole custody, to be returned, like goods, the next morning to take the 11-hour flight home. 

In spite of the detention, Sara’s sleep deprivation and the realization that the two had never actually met, they made a book. Deciding to spend their time together making pictures. Sara donned every outfit she had brought, each heavy metal t-shirt, shorts, pajamas, jeans, bras spilled out of her bag and into the photographs. The resulting images are charged; with emotion, energy, electricity and fight, the determination of the two makers rips through the pages as Sara leaps on traffic islands and dances in the streets of Kentish Town, celebrating her night of freedom.

You Left Your Ring on the Floor of My Bedroom captures the intensity of the night and perfectly showcases Sara as one of ‘Valerie’s girls’, her striking beauty, androgyny and exuberant  energy are tangible.

The authorities told them they couldn’t make a book, so they stayed up all night and made a book. This is that book.