Melanie Walker

Nomadic Dreamer is an evolving allegorical (photo)-graphic narrative that began in the 1980's when homelessness became a part of the ongoing national conversation. I return to this project repeatedly to address related issues questioning notions of immigration, asylum, home, overpopulation, tradition and family.

In my photographic practice I have been driven by contemporary sensibilities as applied to historical photographic processes and hand-made prints along with new ways of presentation. My work is a collision between installation, photography, sculpture, textiles, puppets and sometimes sound. Daguerre’s 1822 diorama and a fascination for the pre-history of photography has been at the heart of my work. My practice is haptic and multi-sensory being born visually impaired. I work with images on sheer fabric to emulate the double vision I experience with my visual challenges. Using the image of a house and that conceptual framework as metaphor, I seek to address our collective longing for connection in these challenging times of division and separation. I live between sight and blindness hoping to serve as a bridge to empathy and compassion. I seek the spaces between us.

Nomadic Dreamer: The Fragile City

Nomadic Dreamer: The Fragile City (installation detail)

Nomadic Dreamer: The Fragile City (detail of the Home Dance)

Nomadic Dreamer- Home Dance

Nomadic Dreamer detail: Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

Puppet Show

The Modern Myth of the Households

Omphalos

Omphalos detail- suspended house interior Open Heart

Omphalos detail- suspended house interior Family Tree

Nomadic Dreamer: The Fragile City

Nomadic Dreamer: The Fragile City (installation detail)

Nomadic Dreamer: The Fragile City (detail of the Home Dance)

Nomadic Dreamer- Home Dance

Nomadic Dreamer detail: Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors

Puppet Show

The Modern Myth of the Households

Omphalos

Omphalos detail- suspended house interior Open Heart

Omphalos detail- suspended house interior Family Tree