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Toronto-based photographer Angela Lewis delves into memory and loss in her deeply personal series, Places We’ve Never Been. The project, which was inspired by her late grandmother, features portraits of old women alone in nature, photographed from behind. This perspective invites viewers to step into the images, projecting their own interpretations and memories onto the anonymous subjects.
Lewis’ journey with this series began in 2021 after a chance encounter in Vancouver. She realized she had been unconsciously searching for her grandmother through the women she photographed over the years. These women, often immersed in moments of introspection, evoke a sense of familiarity and longing that Lewis associates with her grandma. The clothing, hairstyles, and environments in the photos serve as subtle reminders of the woman she lost when she was only twelve.
Though her grandmother passed away at 65, her presence lives on through these photographs, where Lewis imagines places they could have visited together. In capturing these moments, Lewis connects her own process of grieving with the broader human experience of loss.
The series gained recognition in 2023 when it was featured in The Walrus and later exhibited in a solo show at Toronto’s Gallery 44 in May 2024. As Lewis continues to photograph women in nature, Places We’ve Never Been remains an ongoing exploration of memory, healing, and family. Through her work, she creates space for reflection, inviting others to connect with their own stories of loss.
Angela Lewis’ clients include Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The FADER, The Guardian, H&M, Etsy.
