Inspired by Philip Toledano's series about his aging father's twilight years.
These are some images from a series of photos of my grandmother. As the oldest in the family, my grandmother is in her twilight years (final years of her life). Unlike my other family members who are always out and busy with life, work and studies, she is somebody that I see everyday, always in the same places, doing the same things. Like clockwork, her daily routine starts as early as 6am and ends at 10pm. She does not leave the house unless somebody brings her out, as she is unable to see and walk properly. Life, it seems, has come to a standstill for her. Even though she finds contentment in doing the simplest things (an appointment at the hair salon, watching tv, playing cards..etc), it seems to me that there is a hint of loneliness underneath it all. Somehow, she always looks cheerful and serene, despite her mundane daily life. Perhaps she is used to spending most of her days alone, but maybe she doesn’t enjoy it entirely.
In this project, I play the part of an observer, and I hope for the viewer to be one too. The photos are split into two parts, meant to be a juxtaposition of the more content, seemingly normal side of her with the lonelier, worn out her. It is a documentation of the lifestyle, emotions, and activities that my grandmother goes through in her daily life, be it amusing, light-hearted or depressing. In a more personal context, it is not only a way for me to learn about her and preserve my memories of her, but also to come face to face with the process of aging and deteriorating (something which I and everyone who views this series will inevitably have to go through one day).
