Winky Lewis Explores Childhood Fear and Memory in Shadow Kids
Winky Lewis's photographic project, Shadow Kids, showcases nearly life-sized silhouettes of children intertwined with night skies, toy airplanes, and hand-drawn elements to delve into the complexities of childhood—both its enchantment and fragility. This series draws inspiration from her mother's illness when Lewis was just eight, highlighting her wish to capture memories. With her own children now adults, she reflects on the wider anxieties facing today's youth, shaped by issues like poverty, political strife, environmental dangers, war, and gun violence. The silhouettes represent any child, while the layered imagery conveys emotional depth. The toy airplanes are inspired by her husband's lead toys from the 1940s, which connect to her readings on bombing victims in Ukraine. Shadow Kids is featured on Lenscratch, tagged with Childhood, Children, and Winky Lewis.
Key facts
- Winky Lewis's Shadow Kids is a photographic series using nearly life-size silhouettes of children.
- The silhouettes are layered with night skies, toy airplanes, and hand-made marks.
- Lewis began photography as a child in the 1970s and 1980s using a Kodak Instamatic.
- Her mother's illness when Lewis was eight made family photographs 'evidence of the before.'
- The toy airplanes came from photographing her husband's lead toys from the 1940s while reading about bombing victims in Ukraine.
- The series addresses poverty, political violence, environmental threats, war, and gun ubiquity.
- Lewis's own children are now grown, which gave her time to focus on broader fears for children.
- The work is featured on Lenscratch and tagged Childhood, Children, Winky Lewis.
Entities
Artists
- Winky Lewis
Institutions
- Lenscratch
- Kodak
Locations
- Ukraine