Dreaming of Solace, 2023

Presented at Eastern Bloc (Montreal)

Dreaming of Solace delves into the nuances and complexities of the grieving process while recognizing its personal nature and the significance of self-care. The exhibition addresses the artist’s personal experience of loss and the complex relationship between the deceased and the bereaved. 

Photography, conventionally employed to preserve memories and capture loved ones the way we want to remember them, takes a different direction as the artist uses the medium to face her grief and seek comfort. Her father's passing leads her on a journey of acceptance and understanding as new challenges and fears surrounding death arise. Central to the exhibition is her relationship with her father and her efforts to embrace the unchangeable, sometimes leaving lingering questions that will persist indefinitely. 

During an artist residency in Skagaströnd Iceland in October and November 2022, the artist had the opportunity to isolate herself in a new environment that provided a space for reflection, healing and creation. The importance of taking time for oneself and engaging in personal reflection is embodied in this collection of images that speak to the artist’s individual experience of loss, family and the complexities of care. It offers a personal and authentic perspective that invites all experiences regardless of whether they align to what is portrayed in popular culture. By acknowledging the nuances of grief, the artist creates a space for reflection, connection and solace where people can embrace their own experiences.

This exhibition marks a period of personal growth and self-discovery where the artist began to uncover the ways in which her grief manifested itself often in unexpected and subconscious ways. From vivid nightmares and dreams to a gradual incorporation of her father’s clothes and possessions into her daily life; the artist’s journey underscores the capacity of the human consciousness to deal with such complex emotions.