Everything Reminds Me of You by Sierra Crook

There are no rules to grief, it comes and goes as it pleases and everyone deals with it  differently. In 2016, my father passed away unexpectedly. For the first few years after his death, I struggled to find joy. The reoccurring thought of him not being there to celebrate moments with me crushed my soul. I started to attend therapy and work through my grief. I got to a point where I was able to appreciate the time I had spent with my father and reminisced about the memories we had created together.

Last October, a wave of grief hit me and I decided to create this project to help me work through the grief I still experience. Using the medium of photography, I captured still lifes that celebrate the memories I had with my father. I hope this series of images starts a conversation about grief and to express to my viewers that remembering and appreciating our loved ones is healthy and encourages healing. 

—Smith Hall Gallery, April–May 2021