Bring Me A Dream: Echoes of Absence
Hannah Latham
Hannah’s solo exhibition features an expanded look at work first presented in our 5th Annual Spotlight Member Exhibition in 2023. Our juror, Emily Belz, awarded Hannah the prize of a solo exhibition, to further develop the project, and this the resulting exhibition. Hannah’s exploration is intensely personal and yet universal at the same time. She looks at family, presenting life and loss from a multi generational perspective, to reflect on her Grandparents, with an eye toward the echoes and the emptiness that remains.
Approached from a different direction, the images remind us to ask the questions while there is still someone around to answer them.
– David DeMelim,
Managing Director,
RI Center for Photographic Arts
Bring Me A Dream: Echoes of Absence: Hannah Latham
Hannah’s solo exhibition is presented in tandem with our annual Open Community Member exhibition
Gallery Night Providence Reception: November 21st, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Exhibition: Thursday, November 21st thru Friday, December 13th
Artist Statement: Bring Me A Dream: Echoes of Absence
Bring Me A Dream: Echoes of Absence extends an ongoing photographic series that delves into the impact of Alzheimer’s on my family and the intergenerational mapping of our shared histories. Through this work, I aim to bridge the past and future, confronting the looming challenges of the disease while reflecting on cherished memories now out of reach. By documenting people, objects, music, and locations, my work becomes a visual journey through multiple generations, offering a deeply personal perspective on the fragility of memory.
In 2021, my paternal grandmother, Virginia, passed away after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s. That same year, my grandfather, Russell, her lifelong partner and high school sweetheart, also died after being her primary caretaker. Their passing has brought tremendous grief to my extended family, as we had anticipated this loss for some time. As their granddaughter, I documented our interactions during my weekly visits in their final years. Now, I capture what remains after their house was emptied, sold, and passed on to new owners.
Bring Me A Dream, named after one of their favorite songs, primarily employs the vertical frame to encapsulate the essence of this period. It acts both as a keepsake for my family and a call to action for others facing similar tragedies. The images document the essential role of caregivers, the burden of routine, and the lasting effects on loved ones. Through this process, I aim to name and preserve histories from my mind and my grandmother’s fading one.
– Hannah Latham
About Hannah:
Hannah Latham is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, holding a BFA in Photography with a minor in Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her work delves into themes of memory, family, patriotism, and the environment, utilizing cyanotypes, inkjet, and gelatin silver prints.
Hannah’s work has been featured in prominent online publications such as Fraction Magazine, Lenscratch, and Float Magazine. Her art has been exhibited both internationally and throughout educational galleries in New England.
In 2023, she held her first solo show at Foster Gallery in Dedham, MA. Currently based in Boston, Hannah teaches photography at the Noble and Greenough School.
Website: hannah-latham.com
The RI Center for Photographic Arts, RICPA 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI 02903
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication, and mutual support.
RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.
We are member supported, the first step to membership is registration – https://www.riphotocenter.org/registration Details on membership options can be found at https://www.riphotocenter.org/membership-info
The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org
Questions: Contact gallery@riphotocenter.org To learn about other RICPA exhibits and programs, visit https://www.riphotocenter.org
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