"Shades of Darkness" is an exploration of the storms we face within ourselves—moments of loss, fear, and uncertainty that shape the very essence of who we are and who we become.

Set against the stark beauty of a heavy snowfall on a winter’s night, this series mirrors life’s challenges, gently revealing the light within our darkest moments, suggesting that through the storm, there is always hope.

The snowstorm symbolises the weight and quietness of many of life's challenges, a metaphor of the emotional storms that we endure at times in our lives. The relentless fall of snow mirrors those moments when life feels overwhelming, when every flake of doubt, fear, or sorrow piles upon us until we feel buried beneath its heaviness. It’s also where our visibility is obscured, and the path ahead feels uncertain. Yet, even in this blinding winter flurry, there is beauty—a reminder that emotions, though turbulent, are an essential part of our humanity. The snowfall, though disorienting, also creates an atmosphere of intimacy and isolation, forcing the individual to rely on inner resolve and the tools they possess to chart their way.

Throughout the series, there is light to guide the subjects forward. The glowing light of streetlamps and the aurora-like hues in the sky suggest the flickers of hope and clarity that shine through in difficult times.

A couple reading a map in the middle of the road speaks to those moments of searching for purpose and direction amidst the chaos, at a crossroads where choices feel monumental. The act also suggests introspection and the search for purpose or guidance. It reflects the human instinct to find meaning and navigate through the storm, even when visibility is poor and the road seems impassable.

The road itself could represent life's journey, with the heavy snow emphasizing the need to trudge onward, forward like the jogger, yet sometimes pause, reassess, and trust that the act of seeking will eventually lead to clarity and progress.

Two elk crossing the road suggest the unpredictable intersections of life—a person waits, apprehensive to pass, confronted by the imposing wildness of nature, unexpected in the setting.

In a moment that embodies how we often conceal our true selves even as others try to reach us, a young person hides in plain sight as another searches for them - a simultaneous experience of isolation and human connection.

It’s the symbols in this series—the elk crossing the road, the hidden figure, the map— that speak to the universal truths of life’s journey. The heavy snowfall obscures the way, much like fear and self-doubt can cloud our judgment. Yet, as the snow settles and the light returns, we are left with clarity, hope, and an unshakable belief in the beauty of what lies ahead.

It is about finding the strength to face our fears, to emerge from hiding, and to seek the light that awaits us. Through the journey, we come to understand that the darkness is not the end but a passage—one that shapes our existence and leads us to the lightness we are destined to live. This series dwells in the space between the oppressive weight of the storm and the light stillness that follows.

Ultimately, "Shades of Darkness" is a story of hope and transformation. It shows that while fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty are inevitable, they are also temporary. By confronting them, we find a light that is powerful and enduring—a light that not only guides us through the darkness but enhances every step of the journey ahead.