Heather Allison - Veneration of Light 

Bio: Best known for her pensively lit still life photographs of exotic and domestic ephemera, Heather arranges taxidermy, flowers, bones and books into dramatic compositions reminiscent of vanitas style Dutch master botanical paintings. Her photos dance the line between the macabre and the sublime: a nod to her love of Victorian memento mori, she venerates both equally. Her love of- and background in art history can be seen in her works, connecting the modern age to her predecessors in visual art. Though she began her career in photojournalism and event coverage, it was the sudden passing of a family member that inspired Heather to explore the transience of life through still life imagery; it is here that her passion for the medium was revitalized and continues. Heather has an MFA Fine Art Photography at AAU, a BFA in Art History from the Academy of Art University, and an AA in Photojournalism from Brooks Institute of Photography. Showing across the United States and internationally, Heather Allison’s imagery has been featured in such art publications as create! and The Shoutflower, she maintains close working relationships with luxury interior design firms such as Raven Vanguard, and her works can be found in private collections both domestically and overseas.

Artist Statement: For as long as I can remember I have been preoccupied with human mortality. However, it was my own personal experience with the unexpected loss of my father due to complications with chemotherapy that initially inspired me to turn my focus toward fine art and the still life genre, with an emphasis on grief. This exploration led to the creation of my body of work titled Onweacnan (Awaken), where I indulge my fixation and construct vanitas tableaux that reflect on death - a once normalized approach to acknowledging mortality and appreciating the beauty of life. Through carefully crafted still life photographs brimming with hidden messages, iconography, and expressions of color, I seek connection to the deceased and delve into the complexities of grief. In doing so, I reclaim and elevate the categorization of still life as an art form. The images from this body of work offer a intimate experience for the viewer, encouraging inner contemplation on our ever-evolving relationship with the transient nature of life. They also provide a safe space for mourning and connection. When you encounter someone who has experienced grief as you have, everything changes. In summary, my work aims to break the silence surrounding grief, honoring the tradition of public mourning while also creating a meaningful and introspective space for individuals to connect with their emotions and shared experiences of loss.