silence
observation/reflection/enlightenment
procession for hilary
interment
These pictures chart a healing process undertaken through photography.
'The Silence' is a mixed-media image constructed over a number of years using photography, collage and photo-copying techniques.
The man split in two is me. In between is a photograph of my father and my sister, Hilary. My father died aged forty eight of a massive heart attack. Hilary died aged eight. She pedalled her bike from behind a bus to cross the road. Her God-father, our family doctor, was waving at her. She never made it to the other side.
The tape across my mouth symbolises the silence that followed in the wake of these deaths. No-one explained anything to me. Not family, not friends, not my school, not anyone. I was left alone, a ten year old, in deafening silence as I tried to figure out things myself.
'Observation/reflection/enlightenment' is about coming to terms with death and then the subsequent birth of both a learning disabled son and a physically and learning disabled grandson.
All things pass. Eventually.
The photograph was taken on a Lomo, a little plastic film camera. I took it in a lift at work surrounded by reflected light.
'Procession for Hilary' is the only photograph in the series rendered in colour, and deliberately so. A Mexican mariachi celebration.
It's part in homage to Anton Corbyn's brilliant 'Atmosphere' video, part in homage to Peter Blake's sublime Parade collage work.
The final piece is 'Interment'. Is this the final resting place for the ashes of Hilary or just an eye on the ever unfolding universe?
Bravo Simon! Love these and so inspiring to read about the healing process.x
ReplyDeleteI recently began conversations with my last older brother about our childhood and the silence that we endured from all around us when conversations were much needed. We lost a brother in late adulthood and we wonder what he would have thought, shared, what he felt he endured as a part of our experience... we cannot ask him, we will never know. I feel the connection in each of your photos, your tributes and your sadness albeit rising with ever present hope, survival... the word, "pragmatism" in the best sense of the word came to mind as I read your last word.
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