The end of the grove

End of the Grove : Jadine Wells

This photograph is part of my project, The End of The Grove, which explores the untimely deaths of young men from marginalized communities and the impact on the loved ones they leave behind. Taken on medium format film, the series delves into the fragile connections between memory, place, and identity. Landscapes act as silent witnesses to pain, reflecting both the emotional weight of grief and the potential for renewal. Marshlands, water, and decaying urban spaces serve as metaphors for destruction and regeneration, mirroring the emotional terrain of loss, healing, and transformation. The project was inspired by the death of my great uncle, Patrick, who drowned in the Kent marshlands in the spring of 1962 at the age of 13. Rediscovered decades later through a brief mention in a library archive, his story became a catalyst for the work, shedding light on personal grief and the collective silences surrounding such losses, particularly among the women in affected families. The Kent marshlands share a sense of isolation, wilderness, and resilience with the Dark Peak Moorlands. The End of The Grove highlights underrepresented voices and stories, focusing on how families reconcile with trauma and find hope in the wake of loss. Through the photographic process, I confront inherited fears of loss and bring hidden stories into the light. The End of The Grove reveals how memory binds us together—and how it might ultimately set us free. The End of The Grove stands as a testament to our pursuit of a better life, even when our fate seems written in the land.