Spotlight on: Heather Evans Smith
Each month we turn the lens towards the bright and burgeoning talents shaping the future of photography. In this section, we will introduce you to emerging photographers who bring fresh perspectives to the art of visual storytelling.
Heather Evans Smith
Heather Evans Smith is a distinguished photo-based artist whose evocative work delves deep into themes of southern heritage, motherhood, womanhood, and the vivid imagination fostered during her upbringing as an only child in a secluded rural town. Her compelling photographic narratives often explore poignant themes of memory, loss, and familial bonds, all set within meticulously crafted conceptual environments.
Smith's art has been showcased in an array of prestigious solo and group exhibitions globally, including notable venues such as the Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock, England, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University in North Carolina, and the Leica Galerie Milano in Milan, Italy. Her contributions to the field have earned her multiple accolades, including being named a Top 50 artist by Critical Mass in 2014, 2018, and 2021, as well as securing a spot on the 2022 Silver List. Additionally, she is also one of the recipients of the BarTur Photo Award 2023.
Smith has published several influential monographs. Her first, *Seen Not Heard*, was released by Flash Powder Projects in 2016, showcasing her unique perspective on silent narratives. This was followed by her self-published work, *Alterations*, in 2020, further exploring personal and transformative theme Her monograph focusing on her Blue series is featured at Hot Mirror this month. Heather Evans Smith lives and creates in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she continues to draw inspiration from her surroundings and experiences.
My "Blue"
My "Blue" is a poetic visual essay that delves deeply into my personal journey through mid-life depression, a subject often enveloped in silence and insufficient dialogue. When I began to share this collection, I was met with an overwhelming response from numerous women who found a deep connection with the themes portrayed. This connection is especially significant at a stage in life when many women begin to feel overlooked or marginalized. The images serve as a poignant reminder that their experiences and emotions are shared, not isolated. "Blue" transcends my individual story, echoing a collective narrative that belongs to us all, highlighting the importance of visibility and solidarity in facing life's more challenging phases.
Some say my dad's death was the spark that ignited my depression, but this feeling has been brewing for a while. I started to notice a sadness creep in a few years into my 40s. I searched “depression in women” and stumbled across articles stating women are the most depressed at age 44. I was at that very moment 44. Loss during this time in a woman’s life can weigh heavily. Children are getting older and need the comfort of a parent less; the health of one’s own parent(s) is starting to fail, and hormonal shifts begin. Using the color blue, which for hundreds of years has been associated with melancholy and sadness-these images evoke this period in my life and how it affects those around me. A mid-point, as I am stripping down, taking stock, and finding a new place amongst the loss.
All images © Heather Evans Smith