This summer I participated in a group exhibition at The JKC Gallery in Trenton entitled The Mark & The Memory. Curated by Ryann Casey, this exhibit asks, and vibrantly answers, the question, “Can the photograph hold both pain and resiliency, document and reimagination? And if trauma is the mark, then is the photograph the legacy (and memory) that endures?”.

Personal trauma is not something our culture builds community around easily or skillfully. Instead, most of us are left to pick up the pieces and fix our brokenness largely on our own in whatever ways we can. And we’re typically expected to this while also remaining silent. It is precisely because of this that I feel relieved to be a part of this show. Not because I rejoice in other’s traumas, but because I find solace in collective vulnerability. The artwork temporarily made us artists comrades, revealing us as victors armed with truth and courage. What profound power lies in walking freely among the uncomfortable and often hidden realm of healing; to look at these difficulties, many of them our own painful journeys, and say “yes, I will tell this story”.

On a personal note, I have found that the skill to truly hold space for trauma, even in private one-on-one conversations, is rare. Which makes having the heart and guts to bring together a group of artists to display, discuss, and deliberate the nature of trauma even more incredibly and something I will be forever grateful to Ryann for. A special thanks to Kate Spiller as well, for lending her own story and spinning her wisdom into words for the introductory essay.

You can view the full exhibition brochure here, which includes essays and selections from the show, as well as artist statements and biographies. A full video walk through is below, in addition to the 2 artist talks I was a part of.