The Breaking of Binding Threads
This mixed-media series emerged from a seventeen-year relationship with my deceased aunt’s photograph collection, catalyzed by discovering a second box of formal family portraits in decorative cardboard sleeves. The beauty in these details captivated me—some faces familiar, others mysteries I’ll never solve. Rather than remain haunted by the unknowable, I decided to bring these figures into my world.
The red thread weaving through each piece represents the family thread that binds us across generations. By appropriating these frozen moments and replacing human heads with symbolic animal forms—deer, ravens, wildcats—I transform passive documentation into active healing narrative. The raven holds particular significance in my journey, representing transformation and the reclaiming of what was stolen. During a recent visit to Sedona, ravens appeared repeatedly overhead, affirming their role as messengers in my healing process.
This work continues my investigation of generational trauma, specifically my relationship with my mentally ill mother who passed in 2021. Discovering a childhood photograph of her for the first time revealed the same sadness I recognized in myself—the moment when innocence was compromised. Through these collages, I claim the past rather than being claimed by it, creating new narratives that serve healing rather than perpetuating pain.
The decorative photo sleeves aren’t nostalgic artifacts but symbols of transformation. By layering textures and reimagining these preserved moments, I’m breaking cycles of trauma so my children—especially my daughter—can be released from binding restraints. Each piece becomes an act of forgiveness, courage, and present-moment awareness, transforming inherited wounds into wisdom.
