I’ve long been fascinated by Leila, my great-grandmother, who died tragically at a heartbreakingly young age. My knowledge of her has come mostly from old letters, newspaper articles about her death, and tintype photos, with her luminous eyes speaking volumes.

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I’m also fascinated by the gorgeously transformative power of art & literature. Imagining how the buttoned-up (tintype) Leila might have somehow magically blossomed after being exposed to the works of great poets and writers has become something of an obsession for me, and is the inspiration behind a series I call LEILA ON [fill in the blank].

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After reconstructing and revising old photos (with liquid graphite/pencil/digital techniques), I scan vintage book end-papers to create digital collages (because cutting those antique papers would be a crime) that get printed on premium archival, acid-free, matte fine art paper with archival inks. The result is my dreamy interpretation of Leila being illuminated and undone by literary genius. 

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Jen Brauer (Fizzy Mango)

LEILA ON ANAÏS, 2024​