Processing the Big Pause

This new artwork is a continuation of my exploration of the urban landscape, but it has been dramatically influenced by what I saw and experienced through the events of 2020. This work is about the reflection and introspection needed in response to the uncertainty and confusion due to the pandemic and the political events of 2020. My home in Portland, Oregon was a hotbed of action due to lockdowns, closures, protests, and fires. The city’s facade I normally photograph changed drastically with a constant rotation of boards, signs, messages, murals, graffiti, and smoke. I could feel these messages from the streets…the emotion, pain, the calls for help…but also so many calls for hope, support, listening, learning, love, and awareness. As I walked the city streets during this time, I could hear the people’s voices coming through the walls.

I was pulled to witness, listen, and document what I saw then synthesize these voices into new photomontage work. I was naturally pulled into processing it at different levels because I was already deep into my own work trying to heal chronic health and burnout issues. I was attempting to grasp for understanding, awareness, hope, and ways to heal on an individual and collective level.

I went to a place I have never been before — it was (and still is) all about listening, raw processing, raw reflection, raw hope…and some raw idealism. I don’t have the answers of course, but I hope this historic “big pause” allowed all of us to gain awareness in our own lives and to shift our perspective and mindset. Maybe over time, we’ll find that this time inspired a more sustainable, healthy, safe, joyful way of life for everyone. I hope this work helps others with processing and reflection as it has helped me.

Limited Edition Metal Prints and archival pigment prints are available online here >>

Sidestreet Arts Gallery also has a number of pieces in stock as well!