Alyson Bowen

These images are part of my exploration and documentation of alleyways here in Portland, sparked by my own proximity to a NE alleyway as it runs behind my home. Walking is a very important part of promoting both mental and physical health in my life. I found myself wandering through the NE alleyways, attempting to get both lost in my head and in these in-between neighborhood spaces; cracks within our daily commutes, hidden and tucked away from motorists. The patterns are far too sensical for me to actually feel lost, however I found myself being pulled in directions, curious of what lies beyond a narrow space, what surface is causing the reflection beaming from a distance, where the path may lead me or prevent me from going any further. In the NE neighborhoods I began to see repetitions in chosen alleyway displays, such as basketball hoops, painted garage doors, piles and piles of things that resemble trash but could very well be treasured, representations of our existence colliding with the land we live on and how we choose to live with the land. 

This is a continuing body of work on 35mm and 120 film, extending through the various neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. My goal is to continue this exploration throughout seasonal shifts, to dive deeper into the history of these spaces, and to enjoy how residents choose to honor them.