ARTIST STATEMENT.

This body of work is a documentation of one of the things my grandfathers holds so close to his heart. His auto body shop Vanderpool’s. Wayne started working on cars at age 15, and opened up his first shop Wayne’s Autobody in …. It’s a closer look into the car culture and hard work/sweat that goes into the autobody business. This love and passion for cars has evolved into a family business that still has a passion for cars built into our souls. 

I wanted to capture the last few years of my grandfather as he approached retirement and I got ready to graduate college. However some things started to change when he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis putting him on a drug called prenoizone that drastically affects his vision.

While his love and passion for his cars has stayed the same, his health especially his eyesight and overall ability to work on something he holds so dear has slowly started to detoriate. I knew I couldn’t let his journey go untold as the cars and hobbies he once worked on every weekend started to get covered. Grandpa, I know your journey hasn’t been easy these past couple years, but this has never changed the amazing human being that you are. This work is a testament to his dedication that he has put into the family business that we take for granted. This is Vanderpool’s.