Shortly before meeting my partner, his mother Silke passed away. When I moved to germany, I was offered her things that were no longer being used, like her sewing supplies, clothes, and unfinished projects. Through using and wearing her things, I got to know this beautiful woman I’d never have the privilege of meeting. Through photography, self-portraits, and a handmade book, I document this process of learning about her and, in turn, myself. While working on the project, I even learned that we share the same name- Silke is the Frisian form of Cecilia, which both come from the Roman family name Caecilius.

 

The cyanotypes are a connection to what was touched by her through the contact printing method, and I sewed everything together with her sewing machine, inspired by a small fabric book she made to hold her needles, and red was her favorite color. 

 

The work is rooted in everyday objects, shared habits, and the quiet ways someone’s presence can remain even when they’re no longer around.