THE PROJECT
A public photography
project reflecting on
the silent narratives of addiction and overdose.
Toronto photographer Jessica Okonski will be documenting the shoes of 36 individuals who lost their lives to addiction and overdose,. Each photograph will be printed onto a 24" x 24" .vinyl tile, and will be exhibited in a 6 x 6 format in a public square.
In addition to the photography installation, we will produce several short videos that further contextualize their individual stories.
"NEW TORONTO PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT TO REVEAL LIVES LOST TO OPIOID OVERDOSe"
"Addiction doesn’t define who we are. It is a coping mechanism; one that can have devastating effects. When we write off individuals as “addicts”, we’re not only perpetuating the shame that feeds the addiction, but we’re also dehumanizing a person who is lost, struggling and in pain."
AS SEEN IN
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Jessica Okonski is a Toronto photographer
whose work explores identity, hidden
narratives and mental health.
Jessica Okonski is a Toronto-based photographer specializing in lifestyle, portraiture and conceptual imagery. Jessica’s work often revolves around feelings of isolation and associated mental health, where she often omits or hides the subjects face to draw the viewer deeper into the narrative.
Jessica will be working with Twentytwenty Arts and GRASP (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing) to produce the imagery for this project - please see next page for additional details. The organization will guide the artist and Twentytwenty Arts through the process of respectfully partnering with families to generate the content for this project.