Feeling Blue was created to explore how I value life, and my impact on those who share their lives with me. In today’s political and social climate, it is easy to lose sight of life’s wonder amidst the impending sense of gloom fostered by demands of modern society. Inspired by Hannah Maynard’s surrealist photography, particularly her esoteric depictions of mortality after the deaths of her two daughters due to illness, I have come to realize modern humanity’s devaluing of life. Maynard subtly interwove portraits of deceased loved ones into her backdrops—present upon walls, textiles, and dishes. In a world of abundant resources for a healthy life, we have lost touch with the value of our modern privileges, and consequently our own lives. Feeling Blue aims to remind viewers of the wonder that still exists, and the impermanence of our time to experience it, through both ourselves and those important to us.

–Jacqueline Carmichael (Grade 11, Cawthra Park Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario)

One of Canada’s earliest professional photographers, Hannah Maynard (1834–1918) was known for her innovative use of experimental techniques. Her whimsical photographs often included self-portraits and cutting-edge photo manipulation techniques.