Broken Light

The forthcoming photo book Broken Light explores the process of grief following the death of a loved one, expressed through images and poetry. From a psychological perspective, I work in black and white, using the symbolism of light and darkness — a natural reflection of the experience of loss. I aim to capture the complexity of grief — the sudden and powerful sensations of memories, perceptions, emotions, and the passage of time. In my work as a psychologist, I meet clients who often speak about expectations of how grief should feel, and above all, how it should be managed — expectations that contrast sharply with the overwhelming experience of actual loss. The surrounding world tends to offer comfort and reassurance rather than meeting the person where they existentially are. I am also inspired by Roland Barthes’ Mourning Diary, in which he (a French philosopher of photography) writes openly, subjectively, and exploratively about loneliness, despair, pain, and a love without continuation. Within the photographic tradition, there is often a tendency to depict memories and time as a form of history. I seek instead to portray how my “self” remains a subjective constant through time — thinking, feeling, and acting in relation to the definitive loss. It is easy to flee, but in doing so, the depth and intimacy of what has been lost also vanish. The process of grief thus becomes a form of care for the shared life that was but is no longer. I continue to work on the theme of care within relationships, building on my photographic project Circles of Care, exhibited at the Hasselblad Photo Salon in 2025. To reinforce the experience of the definitive nature of loss, I introduce constraints into my photographic practice. The images are taken in immediate proximity to the building where I live — and where I also lived when my mother passed away. Moreover, I photograph at times of day when it is more night than day, allowing light — hard, soft, strong, faint — to shape thoughts, emotions, and perceptions.