Untitled, Best Before, 2011, 29mm x 38mm, Giclée print on Canson high gloss paper
Best Before
Best Before delves into the intricate tapestry of memory, sustenance, and the passage of time. This project, akin to my portraiture, is a reflection of humanity. It draws inspiration from the larder of my grandmother-in-law, where remnants of the past, though past their prime, lingered with a promise of nourishment.
This collection raises poignant questions about our evolving relationship with food. How has our perception of disposability shifted from the era of rationing, which the 92-year-old matriarch experienced, to our current age of abundance? Would she have consumed these relics of the past, and as the tides of time change, will we reconsider the luxury of waste?
Moreover, Best Before delves deeper into the aesthetics of preservation. Even the most organic elements, like food, are encased in designs that, over time, become relics of bygone eras. By juxtaposing these items in a pristine studio setting, the photographs aim to present a stark contrast: the allure of a product shot against the reality of decay.
In capturing these dualities, Best Before seeks to challenge our preconceptions, suggesting a world where the remnants of the past can coexist with the ever-evolving present, urging us to reflect on what we hold onto and what we let go.