Sophia Conway's Blog, page 3

Shelf Memory #12

 

^ A slide from 'Shelf Memories' upcoming exhibition at the MAC
This was actually a book I found in a little free library in my town and took home to read before I realized that it was a book of erotic poetry (not my taste!) I do appreciate the message within and who knows who Kathleen (the poet herself I imagine) was writing to but I like to think it was her husband; the man who helped inspire her work! It's a very intimate gift to give and her message "We have come together in love. We shall love eternally" is so sweet. 
I hope Kathleen and her partner are very happy together!

Project Description

"Shelf Memories is a nostalgic photo series that documents the place of books within human relationships. In the first pages of these books lies a handwritten note from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people; the moments shared and milestones celebrated. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from nursery rhythms and Bibles to poetry and self-help. No matter how meaningful they once were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from XOXO Nana & Pops."

Shelf Memory #11

 

^ A slide from 'Shelf Memories' upcoming exhibition at the MAC!
While I loved this little black book full of classical hymns, I didn't fully appreciate it until I recently deciphered the handwriting! 
Dedicated to Chrissie, it was gifted to her by her Church's Sunday School on the occasion of her leaving for Canada. Like many before them, her parents must have immigrated to Canada from the UK in search of a better life (most likely to escape the Great Depression - according to Wikipedia the decade of 1930 "was defined by a global economic and political crisis that culminated in the Second World War"). If Chrissie was anything like the little girl I was when my family moved from Wales to Ireland, it was devastating to leave our home, church, and friends behind. Hopefully, Chrissie's transition was easier than mine was and a more hopeful move for her family. 
Either way, it was a loving gesture for her Sunday School to gift her a copy of a book that would bring her comfort. I like to imagine her enthusiastically singing these songs with her Sunday School class each week and then quietly to herself as her homeland disappeared into the horizon. The book isn't too well-worn looking for having been gifted to someone almost 100 years ago so perhaps the hymnal became a painful memory to Chrissie of a life left behind. Who knows. I can only hope Canada welcomed her with open arms.

Project Description

"Shelf Memories is a nostalgic photo series that documents the place of books within human relationships. In the first pages of these books lies a handwritten note from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people; the moments shared and milestones celebrated. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from nursery rhythms and Bibles to poetry and self-help. No matter how meaningful they once were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from XOXO Nana & Pops."

Shelf Memory #10

 

^ A slide from 'Shelf Memories' upcoming exhibition at the MAC!

While this book or message lines up quite clearly and doesn't stand out in any special way, I wanted to include it in a special memory in this blog because of this mother's love for her daughter. It's impossible to know what the daughter is struggling through but her mother knows that her spirits are low. Whether she came across this book by accident, recommendation, or went looking in her bookstore for something that might help, it is clear why she chose it. "101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit" would surely help her daughter. I like to imagine her combing through shelves of books and gifting it in hopeful anticipation. 
It's been 25 years since the book was given as an encouragement. I hope it helped!

Project Description

"Shelf Memories is a nostalgic photo series that documents the place of books within human relationships. In the first pages of these books lies a handwritten note from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people; the moments shared and milestones celebrated. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from nursery rhythms and Bibles to poetry and self-help. No matter how meaningful they once were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from XOXO Nana & Pops."

Shelf Memory #9

 Of all the books and messages in the 'Shelf Memories' series, this is one that tells the whole story! And for that reason I appreciate it greatly.

The poem that Judy is referring to on page 13 is called 'Thank You, Mom' by A.P.  Gouthey;
Gratitude is the hardestof all emotions to express.There is no word capable ofconveying all that one feels.Until we reach a worldwhere thoughts can be adequately expressed in words,"thank you" will have to do.
So sweet of Judy. I hope her mom felt truly appreciated!

Project Description

"Shelf Memories is a nostalgic photo series that documents the place of books within human relationships. In the first pages of these books lies a handwritten note from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people; the moments shared and milestones celebrated. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from nursery rhythms and Bibles to poetry and self-help. No matter how meaningful they once were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from XOXO Nana & Pops."

Shelf Memory #8

 

^ A slide from the upcoming photo exhibition 'Shelf Memories' at the MAC.

This is by far one of my favourite entries in my 'Shelf Memories' series! Within the cover of Carmina Varia, a poetry book by C. Kennett Burrow, is the handwritten message, "To my wide, Mespha" dated March 2nd, 1918. The poetry book is so old there isn't a copyright page within and so the book itself is hard to date. 
I have never before heard of C. Kennet Burrow but certainly fell in love with his poetry once I began diving into it. His work is romantic and humble; focusing primarily on nature, the seasons, history, and the relationship between people. As a poetry lover, I find it sweet that this husband gifted his wife this lovely collection of poetry. I hope she enjoyed it; spent hours leafing through the (now) well-worn pages, and perhaps memorized a few. Maybe there was a poem that spoke to both husband and wife; perhaps the love of poetry or appreciation of C. Kennet Burrow's work was something that connected them. 
1918 was a huge year in the history books, primarily because it was the year that World War 1 concluded and the Spanish Flu pandemic emerged taking the lives of millions worldwide. I like to imagine that in a year of historic political and economic upheaval and change, a young couple sought solace in poetry. Who knows if it is true though! 

Project Description

“Shelf Memories” is a nostalgic photo series that explores the relationship between giver and recipient through the medium of books given as gifts. In the first pages of a book often nestles a handwritten note from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from early nursery rhythms and children's Bibles to cookbooks and self-help. The handwriting style and word choice often add to these glimpses of a different life.

No matter how important they were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from "XOXO Nana & Pops".

Shelf Memory #7

 

^ Slide from my upcoming photo series exhibition at the MAC
I spent some time today trying to connect the work 'The Song of Roland' to the message written within, "To Brian, till our hopes & dreams become reality" but didn't come up with much. It's unclear if there is a connection between the historic French work and the handwritten note, but either way, it is a sweet and encouraging message to read.
I have to ask myself who Brian and Connie were, what they were hoping and dreaming for, and if they were successful in achieving it. It's been 55 years since 1970 and I imagine them sitting next to each other in a retirement home reminiscing about the past and cracking old jokes as friends.
We will never know if they were successful in making their hopes and dreams a reality. I can only hope so.

Project Description

“Shelf Memories” is a nostalgic photo series that explores the relationship between giver and recipient through the medium of books given as gifts. In the first pages of a book often nestles a handwritten note from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from early nursery rhythms and children's Bibles to cookbooks and self-help. The handwriting style and word choice often add to these glimpses of a different life.

No matter how important they were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from "XOXO Nana & Pops".

Cover Reveal & Exhibition Details | Crumbs & Constellations

 

Crumbs & Constellations, my debut haiku poetry collection, is less than two months away from being published and I'm excited to announce that Coombs Butterfly World on Vancouver Island will be hosting a public exhibition of 20 haiku from the book. The exhibition will be taking place over Mother's Day weekend, May 10 & 11 and is appropriate for all ages. The grounds and greenhouses are wheelchair accessible. 

Come enjoy some poetry and marvel at their wide selection of free-flying butterflies within their exotic greenhouses! Learn more about their facility here.

About the book:

In her first full haiku collection, poet and writer Sophia Conway expands on her micro-chapbook and poetry exhibition of the same name. Masterfully weaving haiku into a deeply personal and memorable narrative, Crumbs & Constellations captures the full tapestry of one woman’s journey through grief and healing in the poet’s articulate style.

“There is much to resonate with in Sophia Conway’s collection of haiku. These tiny poems provide windows into a deeper personal story of love, motherhood, loss and grief, moving into moments of joy and possibility.” Jacquie Pearce, Editor editor of the award-winning haiku anthology ‘Last Train Home’.