BIO: Patricia McElroy is an interdisciplinary artist, photographer, and designer. Patricia’s photography primarily explores themes related to belonging, memory structures, and cultural identity, with a focus on the connections between the past and the present. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with notable recognitions and awards, including Critical Mass finalist in 2023, top honors in The Pollux Awards 2023, and honorable mention at The Julia Margaret Cameron Awards 2023. She has had work chosen for numerous juried exhibitions including the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Royal Ulster Academy. She also received Honorable Mention in Photographer of the Year 2023, All About Photo, and her series Between Then & Now has been showcased in All About Photo and Lenscratch in 2024. Her photographs are held in the permanent collection of The Art Council of Northern Ireland and in private collections nationally and internationally.
STATEMENT Between Then & Now “Your mother is your first home and that’s why we’re always trying to return to them”. What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About – Michele Filgate As I walk past mom’s bedroom I see light seeping from beneath the door, which means the window shades have been raised. I peek in to see her dressed, hair in curlers, face powdered, but asleep on her lazy-boy covered with a large throw, her rosary in her hand and her tissues beside her on the wide arm rest. Her morning routine takes up to 1.5 hours. It’s 7am and I have no idea what time she got out of bed. Considering that I feel like I know and can predict her every move, it’s an odd feeling when she does something that surprises me. Lately, these moments have become more frequent. Six years ago, my mother came from Ireland to visit, and it became evident that she could no longer live on her own. However, at 93, despite her near blindness, physical struggles, and her dementia, she remains remarkably resilient. As I witness her challenges and juggle my role as her caregiver, time has taken on a profound significance for both of us. It shapes our daily routines in unique ways. She frequently marks time throughout her day as she lives in the present, with fleeting thoughts of her past. I grieve for the mother she once was, fearing that my memories of her ‘before’ will fade under the weight of her current condition. Our relationship, always close, is rooted in a time when actions carried more weight than words. While making my mother the focus of a series of images was a struggle it has become an unexpected gift. Dementia has stolen her usual sources of joy, but surprisingly, despite her past reluctance to be photographed, she now enjoys this shared process, transcending the caregiver-patient relationship that has become the norm. Though she can’t see the images, her willingness to participate lets me depict her experiences with sensitivity and depth. My images strive to reveal the essence of her life, capturing the present moment while delving into complexities beneath the surface, creating a dialogue with life’s interconnected layers.
