Phantasm in Antique Union Case Photograph

Images are paired with and custom printed for hand-selected and restored antique Union Cases. Each work is unique and will not be available in the same way again; every piece is a whole art object. Each Union Case Original comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. These small cases are from the mid 1800's and were originally made to house Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, or Tintypes. They can be made of wood and tooled leather, or a finely ground sawdust mixed with shellac. Intricate designs on the exterior of the cases make each unique and their small size creates an intimate experience with each artwork. 'Phantasm' is part of the ongoing Onweacnan series which encompasses works of neovictoriana still life. Onweacnan was inspired by the artist’s preoccupation with our impermanence and the death rituals of cultures across time and the globe. Pulling from the vanitas tradition of seventeenth century Dutch Masters, the work combines contemporary mediums with Renaissance styling to speak to modern viewers of mortality, connection, and encourage inner contemplation. Public mourning once played a large role in everyday life, exemplified by Queen Victoria and the culture she created and embraced following the death of Prince Albert. Now however, the discussion of grief is considered taboo to the extent that most avoid even acknowledging that human mortality exists and act as if death is catching, leaving those going through it to feel alone in their pain. In recent years however, the arrival of a global pandemic has changed that and has forced us all to live with a collective grief. We are currently being asked to accept death in a way that we never have before. Although I have been preoccupied with human mortality for as long as I can remember, it was my own personal experience with the unexpected loss of my father due to complications with chemo therapy, that initially inspired my work to turn toward fine art and the still life genre with a focus on grief.