An individuals’ memory is all that links us to our lives, our experiences and accomplishments. When reminiscing most people would selectively reflect on happy and fulfilling events in their past, but this is not to say that these are the only memories they possess. Darker, often emotionally charged and painful moments stay with us far longer and have deeply rooted consequences in our reactions to others and in general behavior. 

 

Psychiatrist Dr. Carl Gustav Jung, documented this unexplored deeper part of the human psyche as the theory of the shadow, being anything we deem unacceptable and unworthy in ourselves, aspects of our personality that bring us shame or feelings of inferiority. 

 

The conscious mind attempts to shield us, by collecting these undesirable and painful emotions in what is known as a complex. The memories along with the powerful emotions attached to them are therefore deemed unacceptable to the conscious mind and are repressed, furthermore hidden from available consciousness to preserve and protect itself. 

 

This visual photographic series, Shadow, aims to take the viewer through an individuals’ experience, beginning with the dark shadow being unawareness, to the transformation into lightness, representing acknowledgement and acceptance.

 

“The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely”, Dr. Carl Gustav Jung