Statement - Treasures
TREASURES: objects I’ve known all my life
The photographs in Treasures are of simple objects from my mother’s home that I have known all my life. My mother has always been very particular about how she likes her things—every item has its place, and every task has its way of being done. Inevitably, these things and this way have also become part of my life.
The truth is, I am uncomfortable talking about my work as it reveals parts of myself that would be easier left unexamined. I thought I was merely documenting objects when photographing my mother's items. Instead, it has become a portrait of my mom and me and our relationship. It’s not that these things are her ‘Treasures’ per se, because she thought these things were so important to take care of, and there were so many rules around how these things were to be handled, they felt like they were more important than me.
So this collection of photographs started as an act of curiosity. It now feels like one of acceptance. I realize now that this work is not about me being less important than these items; instead, it’s about my fears of not only becoming my mother but also of affecting my son through the lessons I have learned from her.
These objects we live with, that we build our lives around, that we give breath to, become part of our lives -- and tell our stories.