Visiting my grandparents’ childhood home was like travelling through a treasure trove of cherished memories. Tattered photographs emerged from old suitcases, each one a testimony to surviving a near-fatal house fire. These vintage photographs, some burnt and torn, others remarkably intact, stood as silent witnesses – the only mementos left of precious moments. During these formative visits, my passion for photography, particularly in its printed, analogue form, was ignited.
The series titled “Silent Witness” goes beyond mere pictorial representation and reconstruction of images and investigates the intricate layers of intergenerational family trauma spanning four generations. This trauma encompasses the mentioned house fire, wartime ordeals, instances of domestic adversity, and notably, their profound psychological impacts. Through meticulous inquiry, this series ventures beyond visual restoration, probing the nuanced implications of familial trauma on the human psyche. It endeavors to unravel the profound repercussions stemming from these events, encapsulating the enduring effects across multiple generations.
The technique I employ involves dissecting and reconstructing vintage photographs to breathe new life and universal meaning into their faded narratives. I believe that these fragmented photographs have the potential to reinterpret the past and reshape our understanding of the present and future. Based on personal experiences, I interweave whimsical and ironic elements highlighting the revitalising power of recovery. The usage of photographic portraits and snapshots in collage as a medium to embody mental trauma is a poignant and thought- provoking approach to deep understanding and articulation. It forces me to consider what an artwork of mental suffering might depict and how photography can help to manifest the elusive and often inexpressible. Traditionally, photography has served as a means of preserving memories, capturing moments and making them tangible over time.
However, in creating art out of psychological trauma, photography takes on a transformative role. It moves from being a tool of memory to one of revelation and expression. It provides a channel for those who have experienced psychological trauma to illuminate their hidden inner wounds, which can be difficult to articulate. Photography, when used to document psychological trauma, becomes a powerful tool of revelation and expression, transcending its role as a mere repository of memory. It allows individuals to confront and validate their emotional pain, making it tangible and empowering proactive steps towards healing.
At the heart of my research are questions such as: What does a photograph really do? Can it act as a metamorphosis and, instead of capturing a moment in time, change that moment forever? Can self-documentation of psychological trauma, or trauma in general, facilitate the healing process? I aim to expose the hidden scars of the past through my work in order to create dialogues about healing and resilience.
Gemma Pepper
Gemma Pepper is a mixed media artist who uses photography, thread, fabric and other materials to create artworks that explore personal themes as well as identity, memory and society. She studied photography at Llandrillo College, Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales, UK and at the University of Derby, England. She then graduated with a Master of Arts ZFH in Art Education, with a specialisation in Curatorial Studies from the Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland in 2021. Her artworks are inspired by personal experiences and observations, as well as the historical and cultural contexts that shape her life. The artist uses archival photographs as the basis for her unique artworks. She manipulates the original photographs by cutting, weaving, covering or rearranging them to create new and unexpected compositions that challenge the viewer’s perception and interpretation. Threads, fabrics and other materials are added to add colour, texture and dimension to the artworks and to convey emotions, thoughts and feelings. The unique artworks are a reflection of the artist’s inner and outer self and serve as a means of communication and connection with the viewer and the world. They aim to question and critique issues that affect our identity and society, such as migration, globalisation, technology and intergenerational trauma.
