Singular (London, 2018-ongoing)
Digital Photography Series, Wall Projection
Singular presents a photographic series that documents the curious phenomenon of lone shoes abandoned on streets and in public spaces. Begun in 2018 as an observation that led to iPhone photography documentation, the work reflects an ongoing fascination with overlooked details in everyday life. Capturing these solitary objects—normally part of an inseparable pair—the series transforms them into symbols of mystery, narrative possibility, and quiet poignancy.
A shoe is inherently plural, always conceived as part of a duo: one right, one left. Its singularity is an anomaly, a disruption of its intended purpose. A single shoe is a rare occurrence in a world built on symmetry and duality—day and night, life and death, left and right. This rarity prompts the artist to imagine the untold stories behind these solitary objects. Was it left behind in a moment of haste, a survival instinct driving someone forward so urgently that they abandoned one shoe? Or perhaps it marked an ecstatic reunion—a loved one rushing into an embrace so fervent that they didn’t notice the shoe slipping off.
The imagined scenarios multiply with each encounter. Was it the aftermath of a marathon runner determined to reach the finish line, leaving the shoe behind as a small sacrifice for their victory? Or a saviour sprinting to rescue a drowning person, shedding a flip-flop on the beach in their urgency to save a life? Perhaps a mischievous dog snatched a flip-flop in secret, only to discard it when the novelty wore off, leaving its owner stranded and bewildered. Could it be the trace of a sibling’s jealousy—a discarded shoe tossed in frustration but not quite making it to the trash? Or the mark of someone fleeing their past, racing along a dock toward an uncertain future? What happened to its pair? Was it still waiting, missing its partner? Did the separation strip it of its purpose, or could someone find meaning in its solitude—perhaps even cherish it?
These imaginative narratives unfold around each captured shoe, elevating an otherwise mundane object into a site of endless possibility. By documenting this phenomenon over several years and across various locations, the artist creates an archive of these small yet poignant mysteries, inviting viewers to ponder the connections between loss, movement, and human presence.
The work also carries a subtle connection to the artist’s cultural background, where a lone child’s shoe is believed to bring good luck to whoever finds it. It is not uncommon for people to keep such shoes in their homes, offices, or even hang them on the rearview mirrors of their cars. However, for the artist, this belief intersects with a childhood memory that is both impactful and formative—perhaps explaining the magnetic pull she feels toward these objects. A singular shoe, far from being just an urban anomaly, becomes a vessel for unspoken stories, blending cultural symbolism, personal memory, and collective wonder.
Singular ultimately reflects on the overlooked details of urban life, transforming them into moments of curiosity and quiet reflection. It blurs the line between fact and fiction, encouraging the audience to engage with the enigmatic traces left behind in public spaces and to imagine the lives, emotions, and circumstances that led to these silent remnants. Through this ongoing series, the artist continues to explore the poetry of seperation, the intrigue of the mundane, and the beauty of paying attention to what others might ignore.