Emily Congdon: capstone

Abstract

The artist's statement: Shadow, typically used to symbolize fear or dread, is recontextualized within To See You In The Sun as a source of nostalgia and comfort. Shadow is effective in evoking potent nostalgic feelings because of its distant but vivid qualities. Similar to memory, shadow is fleeting and ever-changing, yet always present. Its familiar form becomes proof of one's existence, a reminder that you are human, that you are living. When seeking out shadows to photograph, it was absolutely necessary that the sun was present. The time of day contributes greatly to the atmosphere necessary for the warm, calming, themes I am presenting. Without light, there is no shadow and without the sun, there is no life. Capturing a mixture of both allows me to prompt the viewer to appreciate life in new ways. When taking photos, I observed familiar spaces, looking at them in a new light. New canvases emerged when I took note of how shadow moves through them at different times of day. In this practice, I felt a connection to my existence that I had lost sight of in my adult years. This slowing down of lime in To See You In The Sun reminds me of cherished serene memories, a time when my family was all together, a day spent at the river with friends, my childhood self riding bikes through the suburbs with my sisters, or my last summer before graduating college. There is power in observation, being able to find beauty in things that are easily overlooked, it allows one to slow down and search for meaning and hope in things they may pass by without question in their day to day lives. To See You In The Sun allows for a moment of observation to take in the world in a way maybe one hasn't before, to reflect on life and give their attention to the little things. In this chaotic time, I hope you are able to look into this body of work to find your own moment of tranquility.