CYCLE THROUGH: In this photographic and performative series child neglect is represented through documentation of kids’ clothes being exposed to different materials and spaces. Material coincides with emotions and the clothes themself are representing humanness with a lack of the physical form to further the feelings of emptiness and isolation. Compositionally, each image alternates wide shots and close ups to portray the craving of connection and push and pull of seeking to be noticed and identified. With transitioning and flipping these perspectives it makes it difficult for the observer to recognize the subject matter. With the first image titled “Ice,” there is a sense of claustrophobia and coldness to show the feelings of entrapment and emotional numbness that comes with neglect. “Grounded,” has parallels to being grounded through parenting along with the attempt to stay grounded in an environment that has instability. “Wine,” attempts to bring humanity into the images as red wine is often associated with blood. The clothes are bottled up and confined like emotions having to be contained. “Afloat” acts as a fading out of the series with the fog and the ice connecting back with the first part of the series. The title represents the attempt to stay afloat when on the verge of drowning in loneliness. The materials embed into the fibers of the clothes and remain, similar to how trauma and memory from experience stay with a person despite being out of the situation.

YEAR: 2023