ECHOES OF SELF

Echoes of Self is Ton Schless’s seven-chapter exploration of memory, identity, and the passage of time in pursuit of his Ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning life’s purpose. Created using a 4x5" large-format camera and the 1800s hand-coated dry plate technique on glass, the self-portraits employ natural metaphors to construct a deeply introspective narrative. Each chapter, ranging from Travel Memories and Whispers of Dreams to Silent Horizons and The Pulse of Nature, reveals a distinct facet of Schless’s evolving identity and the persistent echoes of his past. Central to the work is the physical and philosophical engagement with imperfection. The bubbles, streaks, and light leaks inherent in the dry plate process become visual metaphors for the fragility of memory and the unpredictability of life. Schless’s slow, deliberate methodology mirrors the act of reflection, inviting viewers into a quiet space of contemplation. Using ISO-2 plates sensitive only to ultraviolet and blue light, the photographs embody both uncertainty and discovery. By fusing process, metaphor, and performance, Schless offers a body of work transcending autobiography, inviting viewers to explore their Ikigai within his meditative landscapes. Photography and processing by Ton Schless https://fineart.schlessphotography.com/echoes-of-self