In Vessels of Time, Laura Skehan delves deeply into the concept of the “vessel,” reimagining it as more than just a container. The word ‘vessel’ can refer to any object used to hold or carry, including anatomical structures like blood vessels or botanical xylem, which transports nutrients through their breakdown of cell walls. When we consider photography as an object, it too functions as a vessel—one that carries information, holding and transmitting memories across time.
The exhibition is centred around Skehan’s photography, which explores the organic world through the lens of time. Her images reflect on the subtle yet profound interactions between the natural world and human experience—capturing moments that consider the changing seasons, plant life cycles, the passing of time, and the rhythm of the day. These photographs, much like their analogue predecessors, become cells in the infrastructure of time, vessels that hold both memory and meaning. They serve as containers for experiences that span from immediate observations to the deep geological time that shapes the Earth.
Skehan’s work brings into focus the intersectionality between human memory and the organic, geological memory of the planet. Her photographs explore the ways in which both human and natural systems serve as carriers of ancient information, carrying the weight of past and future, and making visible the often-invisible links between all living things. Through her exploration of photography as a vessel, Vessels of Time invites the viewer to reflect on the delicate balance between time, memory, and nature, encouraging a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.
ConTemporary Space, Turin
Dates: 8th – 11th May 2025
Opening Reception: 8th May, 6-9pm
Location: ConTemporary Space, Via Mazzini 33, Turin, Italy
Supported by and in partnership with
