Elinor Carucci

Family

Through Carucci‘s color photographs we are introduced to an intimate image diary. The subjects are her family, daily life and a continual self questioning of her own identity. She shows us her grandparents, parents, siblings and other relatives, shows the relationship between father and mother, mother and daughter, brother and sister. In the bedroom, bathroom, livingroom, on the couch, in the bed, in the bath tub, in daily and familiar situations.

The artist describes her work as photography about love, warmth and intimacy. It is about growing up and letting go, about independence and sexuality. It is also about tensions, disappointments, dependencies and control. It inspires me to experience love, passion and relationships between human beings. Sometimes when I hold the camera in my hands I suddenly discover myself and what is happening in my surroundings, says the artist.

The first person to be photographed by Elinor Carucci was her mother and she continues to be the main focus the work, besides the artist herself. The daughter shows her mother in all possible roles: as a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sensual woman, a strong amazon and a little girl. I once thought that to take pictures of my mom would help me to overcome the fear of time passing, but the photography only shows me the cruelty of time.

Elinor Carucci uses photography as an aid to communicate with her family. Questions are raised and conversations are started. The dialogue exists through her pictures: the camera says things for her that she would not even dare to think herself.

Celina Lunsford, Curator