It’s said that the more you think about your memories, the faster it is for you to forget them.

Since the passing of my cousin, Makyla Harris, in 2021 I’ve found it hard to want to remember anything from my past. I’ve been constantly thinking about what’s next, trying to forget the past but also save my memories so I don’t forget them. When I do think about the past I usually start to tear up or cry, the happy moments turn sad once I remember the person I shared these moments with isn’t here anymore. Reminiscent is a collection of images and stories from places and moments in my past. Moments that have wounded me to the point of wanting to forget all things about them and the places that flood my mind with forcefully forgotten memories.

Reminiscent explores the memories that come to my mind when I think about these places and moments, memories that made me into who I am today, memories that I’ve tried to suppress. Makyla was a big part of my childhood and her passing has affected me more than I’d like to acknowledge. This book is an outlet for me to explore these moments in my life that I’ve suppressed and forced myself to move past. I look at times of sadness where my cousin was there for me but also happy moments that we shared together. The imagery focuses on areas that I grew up in and gives off a feel like something is missing. While looking at them you sort of feel uneasy because of the missing something.