'The Paris project'
This project grew to become my photobook 'Searching for your Shadow' (see seperate section in Photobooks tab. This entry predates the 'Searching for your Shadow' tab).
The images for the photobook include some of those below - these were an initial selection at the beginning of the extended selection and sequencing process.
This Project is based on the 15th Arrondissement in SW Paris.
Apart from the Eiffel tower on its NW edge it is an unremarkable, truly Parisian part of the capital.
My mother grew up in this district.
This work is heavily informed by the writings of Patrick Modiano (notably "The Search Warrant", originally published as "Dora Bruder" in France) who explored the unravelling of a fragmented, lateral narrative of memory, abandonment and loss (of people, stories, and history).
This resonates with my early visits to Paris with my (French) mother and specifically a week in 1967 when I had a week to wander before a trip for the summer with a French family. That week was spent walking and looking. I had no camera but do believe that week gave me the space and time to look, to start to learn how to actively 'see'. Then, years later, I became a photographer.
In 2019, I spent some time in the 15th arrondissement in Paris, walking, looking and photographing.
This has now developed into 'Searching For your Shadow' a photobook exploration on memory, my mother, family and my relationship with Paris over the years.
Below is an early selection of images from that visit. Not all were used in the book, and the selection process ended up taking a long time. However, it was great to have the time to allow a project to develop at its own pace.
Please click on an image to open gallery
© Please note: all mages are under copyright. Please contact the photographer regarding usage.
