A few questions with John Paul Floyd and Stephanie Dowda

John Paul Floyd and Stephanie Dowda’s current show at Young Blood Gallery,Time Line, is steeped in nostalgia and familial history. Using a box of negatives shot by a grandfather that Floyd never met, the team combines photographs, wood, found objects, and thread to reach into a past that seems both real and imagined. We caught up with them last week and asked them a few questions about their work.

Tell us a little about yourself. How old are you? Where are you from and where do you live now? What’s your day job?

John Paul Floyd (JPF): I’m originally from Stone Mountain Georgia, went to school at Georgia State University and now reside in Cabbagetown. I’m about to turn 30 years old this month. I work as an art installer and photography assistant in the Atlanta area. Most recently I am working with the Atlanta Botanical Garden to de-install the Henry Moore exhibition.

Stephanie Dowda (SD): I’m from Atlanta, born in midtown area and grew up in and around the city. I went to Georgia State too. We live together in Cabbagetown with our doggies. I’m 27. I work in finance, yeah, don’t ask it’s complicated.

When did you start working on Time Line?

JPF: While visiting my Mema’s house in New Haven Kentucky, I was looking through her old family photos. I started photographing the old photos and my Mema mentioned she had something I would really like. She came back to me with a box full of old family negatives mostly shoot by my Grandfather, he died before I was born. I thought it was interesting to see my family through his eyes, since I never met him, it was compelling to learn about his life and my mother’s life through what he captures in these images.

SD: I think the experience of seeing these negatives in light of being able to identify JPF’s family, the people and the places they grew up, connects to things I explore through my work. It is amazing to go through these beautiful images and appreciate them not only because it documents life in such a loose and fun way, but because it speaks to what we all want; our lives to last forever.