Dear Grampaw

In this series created for my Thesis Exhibition at Kendall College of Art and Design, "Dear Grandpaw," I embark on a deeply personal exploration, uncovering the hidden narratives of my grandfather's life during the Vietnam War. This collection emerged from a poignant discovery made while sifting through the remnants of his life in the basement of his home after his passing. Among the dust-covered boxes, I found a trove of photographs, each a frozen moment from a tumultuous time, capturing scenes of conflict, camaraderie, and the quiet in-between. These photographs, taken during his draft into the Vietnam War, lay forgotten, their stories untold and their truths concealed beneath layers of time and silence. Accompanying these visual fragments were his journals, filled with the raw, unfiltered thoughts of a young man caught in the whirlwind of war. It was through these written words that I began to piece together the narrative of his experience, an intricate puzzle of emotion and history.

"Dear Grandpaw" is more than an artistic endeavor; it is a journey of connection and discovery. As I delved into the pages of his journal and studied each photograph, I found myself walking alongside him, witnessing the turmoil and resilience that defined his days in Vietnam. The series is a reflection on the untold stories that linger in the shadows of our family's past, a tribute to the silent battles fought and the unspoken sacrifices made.

Through encaustic photographic collages, I bring to light the hidden layers of my grandfather's life, intertwining his memories with my artistic expression. Each piece is a dialogue between the past and the present, a merging of his experiences with my interpretation. "Dear Grandpaw" is an invitation to the viewer to step into a world of untold stories, to feel the weight of history, and to ponder the complex tapestry of human experience woven through generations. In this series, I confront the turmoil, the hope, and the quiet reflection that war entails. It is a homage to my grandfather and to all those whose stories remain untold, a reminder that within the silent frames of forgotten photographs lie the echoes of a thousand words, waiting to be heard.