What is Echoes of the Unseen and how did it come to be?
Echoes of the Unseen began as a deeply personal journey to document my mother’s gradual changes due to Alzheimer’s disease. Since 2021, I’ve photographed her to capture not just what is disappearing, but what remains—the moments of closeness, confusion, tenderness and distance. It became a way for me to process my emotions and to see her fully, beyond the illness.
The project grew into a photographic series and a self-published book by the same name that captures moments of presence, absence, vulnerability and connection. Alongside the photos, I made sketches during the process, which became an important part of the book, the visual traces of my emotions and the changes we were going through.
My aim is to give a more human, emotional perspective on dementia. I hope to show how memory fades, but love and connection still remain. The work encourages reflection, empathy and a sense of shared experience for others who are caring for someone with dementia.
Who initially inspired you to grapple with dementia?
My mother, Karola Baron’s, diagnosis changed everything. Although I had read a lot about dementia, I had no idea what it would mean in real life. I didn’t know what was coming and I often felt powerless. Photography became a way for me to hold on. I needed a way to be with her, to truly see her and to be present in a situation I couldn’t control.
What started as a personal attempt to understand what was happening, slowly became our shared journey, one filled with love, grief and connection. I didn’t want to document only the visible, medical side of Alzheimer’s disease to be seen and felt, but the emotional world underneath, too. Through the camera, I found a way to honor my mother with care and dignity, while creating space for others to feel and reflect.
How has working on dementia-related art changed you?
Working on Echoes of the Unseen has deepened my focus on vulnerability, memory and time.
My photography explores the balance between the intangible and tangible, often using black and white to capture raw emotions and invite personal interpretation. I express my feelings through universal themes, making personal pain visible and connecting it to shared human experiences. My first project, Frozen August, helped me process the sudden loss of my brother and showed me how grief can resurface even years later.
This project connects my own experience with dementia in my family to universal themes of grief, loss and healing. Echoes of the Unseen is an important part of my work, inviting viewers to explore the emotional reality behind dementia through intimate storytelling and visual expression.
How has Echoes of the Unseen been received?
The response has been heartfelt and meaningful. Caregivers and families often tell me the work really resonates and gives them a sense of being understood. During exhibitions and events, I notice how naturally conversations start—almost everyone seems to know someone affected by dementia. It feels good to talk about it openly, and many people find comfort in sharing their own stories and emotions. In these moments, I see how the project helps create connection and recognition among those who might otherwise feel alone. This sharing of experiences brings warmth and support, making dementia a little easier to face together.
This work is dedicated to: Karola Baron, whose strength and vulnerability inspired every image
Find more from Jennifer Baron on her website and via Instagram.
