The Asylumnist
I visited the Trans Allegheny Asylum for the first time in the early 80's as a psych undergrad at the University of Charleston in Charleston WV. I went on to serve in direct care and administrative roles at Highland Hospital, also in Charleston. Whispered-about places that tended to evoke fear at their mere mention - though particularly the Asylum. My interest is not in the paranormal or supernatural. I'm struck by the testament the Asylum makes to how we treated mental illness over the course of more than one-hundred years. And to consider if and how we have improved upon that since. Walking the street of any major city in 2025
Windows: A disproportionate number of my images from the Asylum are of the windows. Looking in or looking out, the same view - sometimes for decades.
Other Views: Not much can prepare you for the Asylum. This first series of images is a first glance at a growing catalog of work