TRACES
This photo essay is the result of two recent visits to my grandparents in Poland and Germany. I found myself rediscovering the past as I looked at the ways in which both had decorated their homes with family photos and memorabilia. Some of the arrangements hadn’t changed in years and were gathering dust, others gave the impression of accidental shrines to the past, pushed to the back of the display cabinet.
I am a reoccurring theme in the family gallery and took the opportunity to reassess my relationship with my own image as a child. It felt like I was looking at a person I once knew very well. My perspective has changed over the years – grandmother’s favourite doll seemed a lot bigger when I was four…
Furthermore I recognised myself, the person I am now, in my grandparents – we share an affinity for bold colours and I also like to arrange objects in ways that only makes sense to me. I look a bit like my Polish grandmother and our gestures are similar. I am fascinated with her dress sense. On the other side of the family I can feel my love for animals and nature as well as a similar sense of humour.
There is an acute feeling of time passing and childhood memories moving further into the distance. These photographs document my impressions from the journey and symbolise what has been and isn’t there anymore.
