As a child, I spent much of my time exploring the forest behind my house. Much like childhood, it seemed to have no end, its branches welcoming me back no matter how long I was away. More than just a physical space, it was a refuge where I could exist freely, away from the constraints of the outside world. I haven’t been back to that forest in years. Not since I left.
And yet, here in Toronto, I suddenly find that I am surrounded by parts of myself I thought surely had been lost to time. Could it be that the forest of my childhood, and the one I am walking in now are not separate beings but mere reflections of one another? Could it be that the winds blew the fragments of myself I left behind all those years ago and planted them here amongst the trees?
Rummaging under logs and in the water, there seems to exist a space that was waiting for me. I have never been here before and yet I could be lying alongside my childhood self. It is a natural thing to want to remain in this solace, free of expectations and judgements. I sit longer with this past self, and I begin to realize that entwined with the gentleness of this first meeting, exists a great deal of sadness. This in turn, awakens a new desire to understand why I felt so isolated that I needed to find a place of refuge to begin with. In this place, I am able to revisit memories of the past and ultimately allow them to grow beyond my own perception of them, transforming nostalgia into something generative, rather than limiting. Only by succumbing to this process of acceptance, am I able to exist freely. To embrace decay and the evolution it represents, is not to condemn oneself to death, but rather welcome myself back to life.
The terrariums serve as extensions of the forest, this “return to earth” holding the key to everyone I have ever been and everyone I will ever become – the one constant in my life that not only embraces change but requires it.
Audrey Persaud is a Caribbean-American Artist specializing in behind-the-scenes and stills photography for the film and entertainment industries. Bringing an artistic eye to her commercial practice, Audrey strives to produce authentic and dynamic images with a particular focus on temporality. Her lens becomes a tool for advocacy, championing the beauty found within individuality and celebrating the myriad facets of culture and heritage.
Audrey serves as a cool, calm and collected “fly on the wall,” capturing the most genuine moments with ease. Whether working on set, in studio, or on location Audrey’s work offers a unique window into the often-overlooked world behind the scenes. She is dedicated to creating images that not only highlight the artistry of the moment, but also honour the intricacies of the creative process, reflecting the stories and emotions that unfold off-screen. Through her lens, Audrey aims to preserve fleeting moments of creativity, collaboration and self-expression in film and entertainment.