“The divided heart doesn’t know whether to break or mend is a projection of my uncertainties about my (and humanity’s) future during the early stages of a midlife crisis. Emotionally divided about where and what I was supposed to be doing with my life, I found myself walking along the service roads of the trench highway I lived directly next to in Montreal’s west end.
I know you say "claustrophobic" -- I can't argue with you, you know yourself. The images to me don't feel claustrophobic. But They certainly feel "neglected," "broken," "amiss", "discarded".
Stunning work Matthew, and thank you for sharing such a personal conflict. I can totally see a state of mind in this body of work, this is very difficult to achieve. Congratulations!
Thank you for the very kind feedback Xavi! I think with this body of work the most important thing is that it reflects that state of mind so I am happy it came across to you.
I resonate with this as I seem to be in a similar state of trying to figure out who I am and what I'm supposed to be doing now. My context is that I'm recently a widower and my life was centered (for the past three years) around caregiving. Now that my wife is gone, I'm trying to figure out who Antonio is without being part of a married system any more. My photography these days feels like a search as well since I connect part of my being as being a photographer. I guess that's one of the things a camera can be good for: searching for ourselves.
I agree, Antonio; a camera is an excellent tool for searching and questioning things in our lives, whether internal or external (which inevitably means both things, I suppose). We spoke briefly in the comments about where you are right now due to your wife's passing. Sharing a life with someone undoubtedly means they become your other half, and it is hard to reconcile with your identity after spending so much of your life sharing yourself with another person. I hope you find a path to discovering Antonio again in whatever capacity that means, and perhaps the camera will help you in this search. All the best to you, and if you ever want to chat about photography to clear your mind or something, don't be afraid to email me!
I know you say "claustrophobic" -- I can't argue with you, you know yourself. The images to me don't feel claustrophobic. But They certainly feel "neglected," "broken," "amiss", "discarded".
Thank you for sharing. Hope to see more.
Thank you for the insight, it is always good to know how others see the work outsideof yourself!
Stunning work Matthew, and thank you for sharing such a personal conflict. I can totally see a state of mind in this body of work, this is very difficult to achieve. Congratulations!
Thank you for the very kind feedback Xavi! I think with this body of work the most important thing is that it reflects that state of mind so I am happy it came across to you.
Thank you Kim for the support! I'm always greatful for opportunity to share my work with your community, all the best!
I resonate with this as I seem to be in a similar state of trying to figure out who I am and what I'm supposed to be doing now. My context is that I'm recently a widower and my life was centered (for the past three years) around caregiving. Now that my wife is gone, I'm trying to figure out who Antonio is without being part of a married system any more. My photography these days feels like a search as well since I connect part of my being as being a photographer. I guess that's one of the things a camera can be good for: searching for ourselves.
I agree, Antonio; a camera is an excellent tool for searching and questioning things in our lives, whether internal or external (which inevitably means both things, I suppose). We spoke briefly in the comments about where you are right now due to your wife's passing. Sharing a life with someone undoubtedly means they become your other half, and it is hard to reconcile with your identity after spending so much of your life sharing yourself with another person. I hope you find a path to discovering Antonio again in whatever capacity that means, and perhaps the camera will help you in this search. All the best to you, and if you ever want to chat about photography to clear your mind or something, don't be afraid to email me!
Yes, I am on my second run through of that book! Great arguments in there from Tim, and thank you :)