Emma Blaney, The Spectre of Impossible Desire

The symbol connects to what it represents by interpretative habit, assumption or rule, independently of how or where it appears. The relationship must be learnt. 

Emma Blaney photographs objects that have sentimental value for her subjects, a concept to which most of us can relate. She establishes the links between the object and their significance for her audience using quotes from their owners.

'Photography for me is not looking, it's feeling. If you cannot feel what you're looking at, then you're never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures' Don McCullin, A Life's Work in Photography

1. Ring

'She is a strong independent lady...his presence is
still felt in our family life'

2. Cubs Scout Badges

'As a nine year old arrows meant
the world to me'

3. Earrings

'I would sit at her dresser trying on all her earrings...
inspiring myself as a grown up like her'

4. Pipe

'He cut his tobacco from a plug. It was like a ritual,
he cut it with a special knife, filled his pipe, he
tapped it down with his index finger, lit it up with a
match, sat back in his chair and drew in.
The aroma of 'indigo' filled the air'

5. Book

'It has travelled, passed through many hands, Charlie
was the last person I lent it to - Travels with Charlie'

6. Fella

'My aunt brought it into the hospital when she was
born. She wasn't much into other toys but that fella
went with her everywhere'

7. Vase

'It decorated the top of our parents' wedding cake.
My sister and I fought over whose it would be when
we grew up'

8. Tattoo

'He is a teardrop that hangs in my soul forever'

9. Pearls

'She was never without her pearls. It is the one
thing of hers which I have left'

10. Letter

'Precious words - that's how I will always
remember him'

11. Cup

'When I would visit my grandmother, I would always
sit and have tea with her, she knew without asking
to give me my favourite cup.'

12. Watch

'He always wore his pocket watch and winding it was
part of his daily ritual. I was sometimes allowed
to start winding it but he always finished the
job in case I over wound it and damaged the
mechanism'

13. Scent Bottle

'It was always placed out of reach, precious,
I loved to follow that scent'

14. Rosary Beads

'She brought these rosary beads back from one of her
trips . I didn't understand their meaning but loved
my pretty 'new necklace' with beads that sparkled