A portrait in absentia

Project in process with Stuart Fallon

A portrait in absentia began in 2002 with the discovery of an old diary in Tayside Recycling Centre in Dundee. Investigating the diary’s origins, Stuart  began to explore ideas of loss and legacy, and decided to write to addresses found within. He eventually received a letter from Sydney, from the step-granddaughter of the diary's author.

Linda Milne is also a spiritual medium, and believes that everything happens for a reason, is mapped out for us and that there are no coincidences. She therefore believes that Stuart finding the diary and contacting her is all being controlled by a higher force.

In 2008 Stuart travelled with the diary to Australia to meet Linda. We have since worked together on this project, which extends long correspondence and encounters between Dundee, Scotland and Londonderry, Australia. In lieu of the absent protagonist, those remaining converse across time and distance to address the continuing resonance of home and memory, coincidence and meaning.

Portraits absent, Stuart Fallon and Kathryn Gray, 2008-11+,

Video stills.