Statements
Those Who Walk Away
"Those Who Walk Away" is a family photo album – complicated by the visible imprints of mental illness, housing insecurity, and an arduous journey through grief. The subjects portrayed are the artist, Dylan, his sister, Sara, his mother, Becky, and his wife, Abby. As this project began, Dylan and Abby embarked on a cross-country journey in pursuit of a fresh start after the loss of their apartment and employment during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Against this backdrop, Sara grappled with homelessness, a consequence of her ongoing struggle with Schizophrenia. Dylan and Abby traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they located Sara, and began advocating for her well-being while simultaneously restarting their own lives. Their family navigated the complex problem of finding housing and stability for Dylan and Abby, arranging full-time care for Sara, and addressing Becky's plight with chronic illness and an abusive partner.
Throughout their journey, Dylan and his family confronted a ghastly array of experiences — lies, gaslighting, extortion, blame, rejection, and indifference — often at the hands of those entrusted with providing care. Despite their family's efforts, and the round-the-clock work by a community of advocates, Sara tragically went missing and died. She succumbed to the harsh reality of being discharged onto the streets by the very care facility charged with her welfare.
The project's title, "Those Who Walk Away," is a poetic reflection on the sobering truth of Schizophrenia, familial relationships, and an apathetic American system that shirks responsibility for public health. Through its raw and intimate portrayal, this series presents a world where personal grief converges with a plea for compassion, accountability, and systemic change.
I Am An Eclipse
“I am an eclipse” is a socially engaged art project led by photographer Dylan Yarbrough and poet Marcela Ossa. Dylan and Marcela are partnered with Centro Romero, a non-profit organization that has supported the immigrant and refugee community of Chicago for over 35 years. The artwork in this project pairs portraits with personal narratives and is co-authored by dozens of participants.
We often perceive life in binary terms: light and dark, night and day, male and female, success and suffering, American and “other.” However, many things we perceive to be fixed are, in fact, in a state of flux – like the perpetual movement of the sun and moon. By embracing the theme of “Eclipse,” we invite viewers to explore the gradient between light and dark, the fluidity of our identities and communities, and the interplay between our individual perspectives and the grand tapestry of the universe.
Our process is a ritual of release. The participants engage in quiet mindfulness while their portrait is made. Afterward, they privately externalize their thoughts, share their feelings, and tell their stories. These stories vary from expressions of gratitude to accounts of trauma. This process encourages people to celebrate what is serving them and let go of what is not.
The artwork is displayed as diptychs, featuring the text by the participant on the left panel and a portrait of the participant on the right panel. The text is fluid and flows between poetry, short stories, testimonies, and reflections on the theme of “Eclipse.” The photographs are a typology of silhouette portraits. The dramatic lighting functions like an eclipse, simultaneously concealing and revealing the subject.
While storytelling is universally important, it carries a special significance for those who have difficult stories to share. Trauma, grief, and adversity can create psychological and emotional barriers that hinder our ability to connect with others. Vulnerability is the antidote to these barriers. Sharing a story of adversity is not only healing for the one telling it – these stories become a catalyst for healing in the lives of others.
Sompasuana
This project documents a community that gathers around a public sauna in Helsinki, Finland. The communal bathing space, known as Sompasauna, has been nestled between the urban wasteland of a former harbor and the Baltic Sea since 2011. Unlike commercial saunas, Sompasauna relies on the effort of every visitor to volunteer their time. Those who fetch water, chop wood, make repairs, and clean up.
Regardless of gender, race, class, nationality, or any other disposition, visitors are expected to coexist in peace. The point is to literally bare all, enjoy the Finnish ritual of Löyly, be invigorated by cold water, and share life and ideas. Construction of luxury condos in the area is expected to expand and eventually threaten the existence of this place. Until then, Sompasauna inspires a diverse sub-culture of people who celebrate the notion of egalitarian bathing space. This body of work raises questions about place, community, trust, and well-being.