CLAIRE LANGHAM
A FATHER’S ABSENCE (2023)
This series explores grief and loss, centering my own personal experience. I transform my personal journey into a public narrative, using my experience of grief to confront societal silences. It aims to destigmatise this universal experience creating empathy, understanding, and a shared sense of strength in acknowledging and navigating the complexities of loss. Through my father’s objects and self-portraiture, I illustrate the internal turmoil of grief and the lasting impact of possessions. This exploration draws from memory theories and human-object relationships.
This project became a space for healing and expression. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, embrace vulnerability and gradually ease into sharing this personal experience with others. It encouraged me to explore past memories and the enduring nature of the bond between a father and a child, even in his absence. It stands as a tribute to my father. Each image holds the essence of his presence. They represent private reflections, my path towards healing and most importantly, they embody my father.