2013 "I Chose You" scholarship from Lower Silesian Voivodesip Fund

Series of blind children's images, suggesting deeper insight with closed eyes.

 

Straight down the hallway, then left, left again, and once more to the left, and again to the left — and there will be the gym. The hallway is lit up, in shades of blue and turquoise — Caribbean colors — it smells clean. A tunnel, then light again, and then another tunnel, and more light — a tunnel — doors — I open them — I’m blinded.

In front of me stands a young physical therapy teacher — she’s holding a child in her arms — teaching her how to walk. At that moment, I already know that somehow, I have to convince this child to be part of my photos.

But the child — no! No! No! She doesn’t want to. She lowers her head — her eyes are hidden — long red hair — she shrugs — twists her legs — this child is learning to walk, and her body moves like a dance — full of grace you can’t teach.

This child could walk the runway today — perform modern dance — a talent like this, a gift for movement, can’t go to waste.

If only she could see — but this is a school for the blind. And I’m here because I’m searching — I want to see you. I chose you.

This is part of a series of images — about human disabilities — about not seeing.

I feel uneasy — I try to understand, find a sense. What if not-seeing has a purpose. But what purpose?

Or maybe — maybe it’s a gift?

Maybe when I close the eyes I will truly see?