artist statement

In my work, I combine photography and poetry to create layered narratives that explore themes of memory, personal history, and the interplay between past and present. By blending these two forms of expression, I aim to work within the liminal space between the world we inhabit now and the lasting imprints of the past, allowing both mediums to inform and deepen the stories I tell.

I am particularly drawn to the objects and artifacts we surround ourselves with—items that hold memories and act as emblems of our personal histories, marking the passage of time. Repurposing these objects, alongside my own photographs and found images, and weaving them together with excerpts of my poetry, allows me to interrogate and reframe the narratives these items carry, crafting new stories from old memories.

Photography, for me, serves as a way to freeze a moment in time, making our fleeting experiences tangible and allowing us to revisit them in our search for understanding. Creating books and photographic objects gives me a tactile and intimate way to distill my experiences and thoughts, enabling a deeper reflection on my personal history. Writing poetry in tandem with this process creates an added layer of emotional resonance, as both mediums invite a slow, contemplative engagement with the themes of memory, loss, and continuity.

I work in a variety of media, but I am especially drawn to assemblage, mixed media, and alternative photographic processes, where the hand of the artist becomes an integral part of the work. The physical act of making—using my hands to craft and manipulate images, objects, and words—grounds me in the process of understanding, offering a tactile way to navigate my personal and creative journey.

bio

Sal Taylor Kydd is a Maine-based photographic artist and writer whose work interweaves photography, poetry, and alternative processes to explore themes of memory, belonging, and the passage of time. Her distinctive fusion of visual and literary art draws from personal narratives and a deep connection to place.

Her fine art photographs have been exhibited extensively across the U.S. and internationally, with notable exhibitions in Barcelona, San Miguel de Allende, Portland, Boston, Los Angeles, and most recently in New York and London. Her work has also been featured in publications such as Don’t Take Pictures Magazine, Lenscratch, Diffusion Annual, and The Hand Magazine.

Taylor Kydd is the author of several artist books that combine her poetry with her photography, held in prestigious collections including The Getty Museum, Bowdoin College, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the Maine Women Writers Collection at the University of New England. Her most recent book, Crossing, explores the remote islands of Penobscot Bay, capturing the sense of isolation and timeless beauty in these unique coastal landscapes. Another recent publication, Yesterday, produced by Datz Press, reflects on themes of loss and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2024, Taylor Kydd was named a finalist in the Critical Mass photography competition, a recognition of her ongoing contributions to contemporary photography. She is also an experienced educator and workshop leader, conducting portfolio reviews and leading workshops with institutions such as Maine Media Workshops + College, Santa Fe Workshops, Palm Beach Photography, and Nord Photography in Norway.

Originally from the UK, she holds a BA in Modern Languages from Manchester University and an MFA in Photography from Maine Media College. She now lives and works in Rockport, Maine.