Messengers In The Wind

The idea for my body of work has been in my head for along time, I started it while in college and down through the years I was often making pictures with this theme in mind so have built up a large portfolio of images from which to choose.

The idea or brief is to do with love and loss and how we deal with the loss of a loved one when they pass on, where do we find them? How do we feel or sense them? e.g.If we close our eyes tightly as we walk along the sea shore do we feel their embrace as the wind hugs us?

 The title ‘Messengers in the wind’ came about through my own experience of seeing 2 birds flying freely in the sky in a graveyard during a family funeral.

For me it made sense to look for signs of their presence in nature and the outdoors as this is my favourite place to be always. I ponder to you the viewer, have you ever wished you could get a message from them in the waves crashing on the shore or in the trees blowing in the wind or in the birds flying in the sky? With my camera on many occasions when I was lost in my own creative world I began searching for them in the stillness of the trees on a calm day, the ripples of the water, the clouds in the sky and the mist on the hills. 

With my photographs, I’m posing the questions, where are they now? Are they happy? Can they see us? What do they do all day in that ethereal place or maybe time doesn’t exist there at all? By creating the illusion of a sense of this transcendental presence while making my images and giving the viewer a sense of disconnect or 2 worlds, through movement and some abstract techniques I hope to convey my message with a long lasting feeling of understanding and love.

I also hope the next time you become aware of a presence around you that you will take a moment to listen or feel it and draw some comfort from the fact that it may be someone passed over who is sending you a loving message. This concept is just my own reaction to loved ones who have passed on and the making of these pictures was my way of dealing with the loss of their physical presence while still feeling their spirit and love around me. Through creating my work it is my belief they are very happy and are finally at peace and looking out for us from beyond. Hope you enjoy the show, Thank you Connie