In August 2017, I teamed up with Vancouver media artist and friend, Christoph Runne, to create a series of colour infrared portraits and video of residents of the PHS in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). The work is intended for an exhibition where proceeds will go toward DTES charities.

Over two days, we photographed 30 people as they shared their story with us. Each subject was paid a stipend for their time. Many of the accounts were simply heart wrenching, with abuse, addiction, PTSD and people fighting and struggling with their battles. Experiences in Residential Schools were common. What emerged is the fragility of residents’ condition, how much mental health and addiction services are needed & the urgency of action needed on their behalf. As I write this, 25% of the individuals we photographed have passed away since the photographs were taken. The fentanyl and the opioid epidemic now impacts the average life-expectancy of the whole population of the US and it’s just as destructive here. Support any mental health and harm reduction initiatives in BC, they really do save lives.

Listening to these folks, I realized so many times over how lucky I have been in my life. Many things I had nothing to do with such as circumstance, but also realizing how simple it can be for things to slip from your control. It was an intense 48 hours. I triple-hugged my children when I got home.