As an emerging artist and young adult navigating the uncertainties of working in the arts and culture sector during an economic downturn, I grapple with feelings of doubt, envy, and guilt about aspiring for a quality of life that I have some criticism of: I am confronted by an uncomfortable reckoning that my ideals are shaped by a Western model of success that is deeply consumeristic and, for many, unattainable. In response, my current film photography practice involves documenting a range of residential homes. 

One afternoon last summer I walked by an overgrown suburban garden that grabbed my attention. The wild garden seemed a puzzling and poignant contrast to the home’s rigid concrete structure that is reminiscent of post-war Brutalist architecture. I left a note asking permission to photograph the garden and to my surprise, the owners offered me access to the entire property.

Walking through the home felt indulgent in the way of perusing the pages of a Home & Garden spread: beautiful, unfamiliar, pristine. The curated objects and pristine interiors raised questions not only about unveiling private life, but also my relationship to spaces that represent wealth and class. I found myself contending with my place within these value systems, feeling drawn to their allure while disconnected from them. 

The resulting images formally describe the push and pull between the Brutalist architecture and romantic garden. They trace a balance between domestic and public space, reflecting my sense of (un)belonging and internal conflict with societal barriers. Despite my critique, if I could live in that house…I would.

This ongoing project invites an introspective exploration of the politics of space and how these environments shape, influence, resist, or uphold cultural systems of monetary and aesthetic value. These images challenge viewers to reflect on their own relationships with wealth and class, offering moments of contemplation about the societal ideals we internalize.

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Note: This description is a work-in-progress and reflects only the sample images taken. This project is not nearly finished. I am looking to expand this project by photographing a diverse range of residential homes in Saskatchewan (maybe beyond). If you are interested in participating, please email: mikadabbott@gmail.com. Images may be included in exhibition, online display or publication.