What Once Was
When I first walked into the abandoned house, I was struck by its stillness and apparent disregard. It was clear that the house had not been lived in for some time, and had been forgotten by those who once cared for it. By using this abandoned house as the foundation of my portfolio, I expressed the idea of "growing up" and the memories associated with this particular space by keeping the feeling of being out of place. The cottage aesthetic is significant because it symbolizes a retreat, a getaway and a safe space. By using this structure, I aimed to emphasize the importance of these types of spaces in our lives, and how we outgrow them as we continue to change and mature.
I connected with this house because it has a personal connection for me as it reminds me of my family's cottage, which I am starting to feel outgrown as well. Through my artwork, I aimed to capture the feeling of outgrowing a beloved place and the bittersweet emotions associated with it while trying to keep the aura of the man who once lived there.
Who Once Was
In the dimly lit corners of our minds, there exists a landscape fraught with uncertainty and uneasiness. It is a place where disease lives, where mental fog obscures the vivid tapestry of memory, leaving behind only faded remnants of what once was. In this delicate realm, loneliness reigns supreme, a silent companion to those who wander its deserted paths.
As a photographer, I am drawn to these shadowed landscapes, to the raw emotion that dwells within the human experience of loss and transition. I seek to capture the fleeting moments of clarity amidst the overwhelming haze of Alzheimer's, to document the subtle shifts in perception and understanding that accompany the slow erosion of memory.
In the small town of Venise-en-Quebec, where the whispers of the past echo through the narrow streets, I found inspiration for my latest series. It was here, amidst the fading beauty of aging facades and weathered souls, that I embarked on a journey into the heart of darkness that is dementia.
Throughout my final semester at Dawson, I immersed myself in the creation of a body of work that would serve as both a testament to the human spirit and a stark reminder of its fragility. Guided by the memory of my grandmother, who battles this insidious disease with unwavering courage, I sought to channel my own fears and emotions into art.
The resulting series is a haunting exploration of the intersection between memory and loss, a visual elegy to the countless souls who have been lost to the damage of Alzheimer's. Each photograph is a window into a world tinged with sorrow and longing, where the boundaries between past and present blur and the future looms uncertain.
Through the use of stark contrasts and muted tones, I sought to convey the disorientation and isolation that are the hallmarks of dementia. In each image, the viewer is invited to confront their own fears and anxieties, to grapple with the uncomfortable truth that we are all vulnerable to the passage of time.
But besides the darkness, there is also beauty to be found. In the tender moments of connection between loved ones, in the flicker of recognition that lights up a cloudy gaze, there is hope. It is this delicate balance between despair and resilience that defines the human experience, that makes us who we are.
In the end, my series is not just a reflection of the pain and sorrow that accompanies Alzheimer's, but a celebration of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the power of art to transcend the boundaries of language and understanding, to speak to the deepest recesses of our souls. And it is my hope that through my work, I can shine a light into the darkness, and offer solace to those who walk this lonely path.
As a photographer, I am drawn to these shadowed landscapes, to the raw emotion that dwells within the human experience of loss and transition. I seek to capture the fleeting moments of clarity amidst the overwhelming haze of Alzheimer's, to document the subtle shifts in perception and understanding that accompany the slow erosion of memory.
In the small town of Venise-en-Quebec, where the whispers of the past echo through the narrow streets, I found inspiration for my latest series. It was here, amidst the fading beauty of aging facades and weathered souls, that I embarked on a journey into the heart of darkness that is dementia.
Throughout my final semester at Dawson, I immersed myself in the creation of a body of work that would serve as both a testament to the human spirit and a stark reminder of its fragility. Guided by the memory of my grandmother, who battles this insidious disease with unwavering courage, I sought to channel my own fears and emotions into art.
The resulting series is a haunting exploration of the intersection between memory and loss, a visual elegy to the countless souls who have been lost to the damage of Alzheimer's. Each photograph is a window into a world tinged with sorrow and longing, where the boundaries between past and present blur and the future looms uncertain.
Through the use of stark contrasts and muted tones, I sought to convey the disorientation and isolation that are the hallmarks of dementia. In each image, the viewer is invited to confront their own fears and anxieties, to grapple with the uncomfortable truth that we are all vulnerable to the passage of time.
But besides the darkness, there is also beauty to be found. In the tender moments of connection between loved ones, in the flicker of recognition that lights up a cloudy gaze, there is hope. It is this delicate balance between despair and resilience that defines the human experience, that makes us who we are.
In the end, my series is not just a reflection of the pain and sorrow that accompanies Alzheimer's, but a celebration of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the power of art to transcend the boundaries of language and understanding, to speak to the deepest recesses of our souls. And it is my hope that through my work, I can shine a light into the darkness, and offer solace to those who walk this lonely path.