The Sophie Davis Art Gallery at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in Los Angeles, dedicated to showcasing the work of older artists, recently extended a gracious invitation to show my body of work, “Through the Looking Glass”.
As I thought about representing the “elder” set, I found myself wrestling with complex emotions surrounding aging and its impact on our relationships. My thoughts inevitably turned to my grandmother Naomi. She was my beacon of light and adventure. Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in her late thirties, which left her unable to care for herself for half her life, Naomi's spirit remained undiminished. As a child, my brother and I spent countless hours with her while my mother acted as her caregiver.
During Covid I completed this short animation that I had conceived of years ago while exploring geometric shapes and mandala imagery. This is a tribute to the many stories held in stone, bones of the earth, and to poet Charles Simic (1938-2023) who wrote one of my very favorite poems, Stone.
My challenge as a photographic artist is to explore and unpack the meaning of beauty and its role as catalyst — growing our capacity to imagine, inspire, create and love the world around us in all its forms. A momentary encounter with beauty has the potential to change your day. An ongoing conversation with beauty, especially in the natural world has the power to change your life. — Gail