Lost and Found

In the fall of 2017, J Nems spent three months documenting 364 objects found in seven different lost and founds throughout Toronto. Photographed starkly against a white background, the artist meticulously categorized and organized the objects into grids. Such re-staging furthers themes of isolation and separation while providing viewers with an opportunity to evaluate and compare the mundane items. In addition to the grids are self-portraits depicting J Nems interacting with—often wearing—the lost items. This lighthearted gesture reassigns value to the objects, freeing them from feelings of nostalgia and from their position as orphans. The portraits also provide a reflection on the physiological and psychological associations made between the self and objects, with J Nems acting as proxy for the original owner.