MEMORY & LONGING
As a photographer, I have taken countless pictures, but for this body of work I have been purchasing the photographs of others. Combing through the seemingly endless archives of forgotten and unwanted family snapshots at flea markets, yard sales, and online, I find that certain images have an unexpected personal resonance—an emotional connection that draws me to them. The familiarity of universal themes elicits my own recollections and longings. The discovery of these particular old snapshots becomes the source of a deep exploration of the nature of memory and of image-making itself. I find a screen exists where my memory is concerned and only select memories remain in my mind.
I scan these photos and alter them digitally. The alterations seem to mirror the act of remembering itself— some elements remain crystal clear, others fade to an indeterminate blur. I enlarge the images and print them in platinum/palladium, a19th century technique that yields classic results. Finally, I add paper, fabric, and bric-a-brac to their surfaces to create a collaged effect. Throughout the process of working with these images, I experience memory, longing, and joy. The photos, while easily identifiable as remnants from another era, become timeless.