Loving Lola is a photo capsule of the love and memories Lorenzo Colocado shares with his grandmother. This collection of images intimately explores how time transcends generations, including the role memory and tradition have in our relationship with elders.
"I am learning about my Filipino identity and familial history through spending time with my Lola. Despite the language barrier between us—our communication relies on gestures, love and care.
My Lola keeps photographs that are special to her in her wallet. She tells me about when photography was inaccessible for her and uncommon for people to be photographers in her hometown. It is my privilege to see my Lola every day and share something we both appreciate when we are together. Our shared curiosity for photography has provided a space for me to document moments, memories and how I see my Lola.
In creating these images, I am honouring my time with my Lola. This selection of images stays close to me because rarely were moments photographed when she lived in the Philippines. I hope this reflective practice will turn into something I can continue to share with future generations." - Lorenzo Colocado
Listen to an interview between the artist, Leila Fatemi and Celeste Cole here.
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Pinamagatang “Loving Lola,” taglay ng photo capsule na ito ang mga gunita at alaala namin ng mahal kong lola. Ang mga larawan sa koleksyon na ito ay sumisisiyasat sa relasyon ng panahon sa mga henerasyón ng isang pamilya, at kasabay nito, ang papél ng alaala at tradisyón sa pakikitungo natin sa ating mga nakakatandâ.
Sa mga oras na magkasama kami ni Lola, natutunan ko ang pagkatao ko bilang isang Pilipino, at ang kasaysayan ng pamilya namin. Magkaiba man ang aming mga wikà, nagkakaintindihan kami ni Lola gamit ang aming mga kilos, at and paglalambing at pag-aaruga namin sa isa’t isa.
May mga espesyal na larawan si Lola na nilalagay niya sa kanyang pitaka. Kinikuwento niya sa akin na noon, hindi karaniwan ang pagkuha ng mga larawan, at hindi laganap ang pagiging photographer sa mga mámamayán sa kanyang bayang pinagmulan. Isang pribiléhiyó para sa akin na nakikìta ko si Lola araw-araw, at makibahagì sa kanya sa isang bagay na kinatútuwaán namin kapag magkasama kami. Dahil sa kuryosidád naming dalawa sa photography, nabigyan ako ng puwáng upang maitalâ ang aming mga alaala, at kung paano ko tinatanáw ang aking Lola.
Ang paglikhâ ko ng mga larawang ito ay ang aking paraan upang magbigay parangál sa aking Lola. Ang mga seleksiyón sa photo capsule na ito ay ang mga larawan na makabuluhán sa akin dahil sa napakabihirà ng pagkuha ng mga litrato noong nasa Pilipinas pa siya. Umaasa ako na ang ganitong estilo ng pag-gunam-gunam ay magiging isang kasanayan na patuloy kong maibabahagi sa mga darating na henerasyon.
Translation by: Dani Magsumbol
Presented in partnership with JAYU.
Lorenzo Colocado is a Filipino-Canadian artist from the Jane and Lawrence West area of Toronto. His passion for basketball culture has led him to explore intersections of photography, culture, and sports. He aspires to use photography as a tool to have meaningful, honest conversations about identity, familial ties and generational knowledge.
Lorenzo is a member of Recess, a Toronto based collective dedicated to empowering community through creative outlets, workshops, installations, film, photography and design. He is a JAYU iAM photography program alumnus and artist mentor for youth across the GTA.
JAYU is a registered Canadian charity and believes strongly that the arts provide the strongest platform to share human rights stories. The arts can be used to educate, to build empathy, to heal, to forge community and to inspire the kinds of conversations necessary to reimagine a more just and equitable world.
