After first experiencing the death of a grandparent, I was given a memento to hang on to. With each additional passing, the ritual was repeated. In these moments I noticed the power their possessions held. These mementos' renewed existence, precious and glorified, grew stronger in the years following each death. With time, symbols and reminders of their lives grew in significance as well; cicadas chirping in the summer and ginkgo leaves raining down in the fall, their presence inescapable. They, too, exist as mementos.
At Last, Everlasting captures an interweaving of memory, time, and atmosphere. My body and the environments in which the photographs are created serve as pedestals, highlighting memories of my grandparents as well as the moments those memories surface. Fragmented imagery of the outdoors are envisioned indoors, objects embody seasons, and new surroundings feel like home. Somehow, the world has become a more familiar place.
The series serves not only as a memorial, but as a solace for others looking to find beauty within the sadness that comes with losing the people you love.
