Untitled, 2024
Introducing
MOMENTS-MERGE
new works by Paul Hadley
2025
Sequenced photographs in poetic combinations, presented in a framed diptych or triptych.
Vast offbeat storylines by merging moments from my past — providing wide spaces for interpretation.
Untitled, 2021
The name Moments-Merge is drawn from the literal action of merging together 2-3 scenes from my past.
I began building this series in the late 90’s and it has been an ongoing passion of mine over my entire adult life.
All imagery presented is from my personal archive, built over the past 35 years — reserved for this particular collection.
I feel it is ready now to be released to the public.
Untitled, 2018
Placing a self portrait inside a Moments-Merge, puts me back inside my past - a brand new past.
Occasionally I’ll use a moment from an archive named Turbulence - 20 years of self portraits taken during airline flights.
I’m intrigued with what thoughts might be going through peoples minds as their flight experiences heavy turbulence and is possibly going down.
Untitled, 2022
All works in the Moments-Merge series are one of one/one of a kind originals — never to be duplicated.
The sizes range between 5 - 9 feet in diameter, presented in a hand made - by me, custom frame.
Untitled, 2022
Moments-Merge: The Beginnings
As you will see in most of my imagery, there’s a soft blurred texture which is created
live in the camera.
I started experimenting with this style in the 90’s - purposefully shooting scenes with the lens set in a soft focus and often I and/or the scene are in motion.
Untitled, 2006
By toning down the sharp details, the scene transforms into smoothed shapes with buttery colors and delicate curved lines - evenly soft and plump.
Untitled, 2005
There’s this painterly complexion that lends the feeling of a dream and the look of a painting
a perfect combination for storytelling.
Untitled, 2024
After discovering this storytelling potential, I began cataloguing images that had these qualities
then the sequencing began
exploring the boundless possibilities of poetic combinations.
It quickly became an obsession of mine that lasted over many years.
Untitled, 2018
My aim when building a Moments-Merge is it will startle when first glanced upon
the colors will possess an uncommon arrangement or an absolute match
and to keep the interpretation space offbeat and simple, at the same time - wide and vast.
All Moments-Merge are untitled, leaving more room for interpretation.
Untitled, 2006