Lived-In
A photo series focusing on the motif of “home” and dysfunctional family dynamics in classic fairytales
Blood, Sweat, and Pumpkins - Our protagonist is on the stairs putting her shoes on while the audience is shown her royally decorated alter ego. This photo depicts a girl who has grown up to realize that her family is only there for her when she’s winning. She overworks herself to get praise and validation and they show their love with a post bragging to their friends.
Fish out of Water - Many existing adaptations of the Little Mermaid feature an implicit gay message and themes of forbidden love and belonging. In this version, two adults force their child to face his reflection as they try to remove the scales emerging from his skin.
Decay - A hellish oasis appears sweet and welcoming at first glance. In this version, the candy cottage is a house in the suburbs and the witch is a pie-baking soccer mom. She works to maintain her perfect image, and as a result, the children don't realize that they're trapped until it's too late.
Don’t Stray - Disregarding a child’s curiosity and need for exploration leaves them searching in places they should not be. Unaware of the wolves that lurk in the depths of the internet, our young unsupervised protagonist strays from his goal and is horrified at what he finds.
For a Kiss - When a frog tries to make a deal with a friend unable to consent and assumes he’s entitled to a reward- here we see a relationship with unrealistic expectations, ulterior motives, and slimy inexcusable acts.
Kingdom Curse - The source text is a tale about a young girl paying the price for her parent’s transgression. Though the parents are no longer in the picture, their relationship left a mark. As an adult, she’s actively trying to undo the damage that was caused in her childhood.
Let your Hair Down - She has nothing left to give but she’s a prisoner in her own home. Though our protagonist is drained dry of energy and motivation, those around her don’t hesitate to continue to devour. Her magical hair can be suffocating.
Magic Beans - When reimagining this tale, I was exploring different sources of income that rely on children providing for their families. The new wave of careers that have become accessible in the last 12 years (like YouTuber, app developer, professional gamer, or social media manager) can sometimes seem mythical for people who are not accustomed to the ways of the digital world.
No Strings - When you feel like someone else has been pulling the strings your whole life, what do you do when you cut yourself free? As our protagonist finds his way to the driver's seat, this adaptation features a search for identity, control, and isolation.
Poison Apples - When our protagonist looks in the magic mirror, she comes face-to-face with a seemingly less evil queen than in the traditional tale. Through the mother’s judgemental glances and critiques of Snow White’s appearance, Snow White inherits a warped perception of beauty and self worth.