Nonagenarians

Portrait of The Nineties

A definition of nonagenarian in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “a person who is between 90 and 99 years old.”

My paternal grandmother lived for 100 years. I saw her transformation in her physical appearance over the years, yet her vibrant inner spirit, which illuminated her path in life, remained the same. I believe that one’s inner spirit leads to their perseverance in life and affects how they age.

This photo series consists of composite photos of nonagenarians, combining current images with images from their past. Some photos go back to their childhood. The transformation, perseverance, and memories are what I am trying to present in this body of work. I choose people in their nineties because they are the best to showcase these elements. I and my husband work together in visiting with and taking the current photographs of these inspiring nonagenarians. The past photographs are provided by the family. I pick, compose, and layer the images to make one connected composite between the past and current.

This is an ongoing project that is still growing.

Harold Staton, 94, Edgewood, Tx – World War II Veteran and former prisoner of war. Now an active church member. Here, he is portrayed with his own self when he was just joined the service, about 18 years old.

Jack Gilbert, 90, Edgewood, Tx – Retired school principal and coach. Now an active church choir member. Here, Mr. Gilbert is portrayed with his own self when he was an Elementary School Principal in New Mexico in the early 1980’s.

Dorothy Hall, 91, Edgewood, Tx – Ms. Hall, portrayed with her childhood photo (around 5 year old) in front of her family sharecropper house in Hillsboro, Tx. Now an active church and community member, plays bingo and bunco weekly.