Claire Frances Niemeier, 'Smoking Hats' (PORTRAIT 2024)

Beating an addiction is hard. It's hard on day one. It's hard on day 18,250. That’s how many days it was before he quit. My dad, at 65 years old had been smoking every day since the age of 15. On day 18,250 he decided he was done. Cold turkey in the depths of his man cave, he silently gave it up. Didn’t announce it was happening, didn’t request a celebration party, didn’t tell a soul he had done it… but beat it he did. Then he recovered, and he triumphed. This series is a metaphor of that very addition leaving his body. Staying strong as the toxins demand his attention. He did it. He made it to the other side. THIS is his celebration, now on day 26,123 at 73 years old, he is still clean. He is humble, and quietly reflects on his achievement while we couldn’t be prouder of you Dad. Love Claire Frances

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