Photography Practice

Artist Statement:

I.

My artistic journey is deeply rooted in the transformative power of photography, borne out of a profound desire to transmute the heightened state of hypervigilance caused by Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) into works of art.

Hypervigilance, an incessant vigilance for potential threats, often emerges as a response to trauma. In the case of childhood trauma, the events experienced during those formative years were often unpredictable, chaotic, and harrowing. The "complex" nature of C-PTSD indicates that these traumatic experiences occurred early on or were recurrent, profoundly shaping our emotional and creative development. To delve deeper into the intricacies of C-PTSD, I highly recommend exploring the enlightening book, A Practical Guide to Complex PTSD: Compassionate Strategies to Begin Healing from Childhood Trauma by Arielle Schwartz, Ph.D.

Through my own journey with C-PTSD, I have discovered a language that allows me to contextualize how the ghosts of my childhood traumas persistently haunted me, defying my attempts to conceal them. Therapy has empowered me, emboldening me to harness the energy of hypervigilance and channel it into my artistic practice.

The portfolio presented here offers a glimpse into my photography practice. Within these images, you will encounter a diverse range of subjects—a tapestry of buildings, individuals navigating their own worlds, people engrossed in acts of worship, and intimate glimpses of familial bonds.

-JHHJr

*SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. For help, please call 1-800-662-4357.