Artist: Lora Kakaletris
Title: "Blue Skies Ahead"
"At the age of 12, I walked into the garage to find my mother’s lifeless body sitting in the driver’s seat of her car with the engine on and the doors closed tight. This horrific event has shaped my life in so many ways. As a child, I was not given permission to grieve. I was not given permission to express my sadness. I was not given permission to even talk about what happened. As a result, I suppressed my feelings, emotions and grief for most of my life. In my late thirties, I began unconsciously expressing some of my suppressed feelings through photography. I began creating images, that at the time did not mean much to me, but when the thoughts came into my mind, I honoured them by recreating them with my camera. During their creation, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm and contentment. The process of creating these images, was not only enlightening but therapeutic and acted as a mechanism for healing.
“Blue Skies Ahead” is a visual representation of taking control of my feelings. It is a reminder that I have control over my own life and my own happiness. It is my interpretation of taking my life back. This process of what I refer to as photogarphic journalling has allowed me to open the door of discussion about mental illness, suicide, grief and ultimately provide hope to those who may be suffering. It provides a message to the viewer that they are not alone in their suffering. I strongly believe that this image demonstrates the power of healing through art, as I am living proof of its power."
- Lora Kakaletris
