There’s something seductively intriguing about abandoned asylums, abandoned sanitoriums, abandoned hotels; these cavernous halls, empty beds, service desks, things from the everyday workings of collectives of people.
What is it? Perhaps it’s the mystery – who were these people? why were they there? and why did they leave? What are all these things they left behind? Perhaps it’s the odd sense of peace that’s left after the chaos of people has gone. (And what wonderful spaces and textures…)
Heather Goldy is entranced by these places more than most. What started out as a hobby as a medical history buff many years ago has turned into something of an obsession for her. “When I got into photography I heard about ‘urban exploration’- the art of photographing abandoned places. Always having a love for the unusual, I stepped foot into my first abandoned asylum. It was love at first sight. I loved the emptiness – I loved feeling as if I time travelled and went back 50 years. The old furniture and medical equipment scattered about in the empty paint peeling hallways just captured me in such a way…”
hlgphotos – urban exploration (abandoned state hospital)
“Now years later, and having travelled all over the United States, I have been into and photographed dozens upon dozens of abandoned asylums and old hospitals. It has become a life of mine – travelling to every state possible to see their forsaken places, their frozen asylums. Accessing abandoned hospitals isn’t easy; it’s life-threatening, like falling through old floors, being exposed to dangerous medical wastes, lead paints, and asbestos. There is also a high risk of being ticketed or even ending up in jail. But for me, the reward is worth the risk, and I love my passion and providing the world with photographs of places the normal eye doesn’t ever see.”
hlgphotos – urban exploration (abandoned state hospital)
“When I look back at my photographs, I see the beauty in decay. I see the beauty that’s still in these forsaken places. The way the multi-colored layers of paint chips peel create a beautiful, almost dream-like look. I hope the people who stumble across my photographs can see the beauty and peacefulness in these such empty and now forsaken places. And it overflows me with such joy when a person wants to own one of these photographs and have it in their own lives. Now these forsaken places are shared and their memories live on in my photographs.”
hlgphotos – urban exploration (abandoned sanitorium)
It was only after her father passed away that Heather became interested in photography, and now she misses him dearly and says that every photograph she has taken is dedicated in his honour. “I wish every day he could see my passion for photography. He always encouraged me to be myself and not like the typical crowd, and my photography isn’t typical. Thank you for being the best father anyone could have asked for.”
hlgphotos – urban exploration (abandoned state hospital)
You can find more of Heather’s images for sale in her Etsy shop HLGPhotos. I would also urge you to check out her extensive portfolio of abandoned buildings on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/hlgphotography/sets/ – it’s an eye-opener.
hlgphotos – urban exploration (abandoned state hospital)
I knew a Heather Goldy once, loved her even still. Life tore us apart. She is brilliant I miss her
Heather you are truly a gift, and your dad is proud of you, we have one of your pictures in our home and we love it I no of the many places you have been , to take your pictures, your pictures are great, your momma !!!!! Love you
Hey Heather, sounds like you’ve got a wonderful support group! So well deserved, thank you. 🙂
There is something other-worldly about these nostalgic, peaceful, abandoned spaces, and Heather’s pictures capture the magic perfectly! I’m in love with the whole idea. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work!
I am strangely attracted to abandoned places too.
Heather’s photos are fabulous.
aren’t they just? You should go and check out her Flickr too, it’s utterly fascinating (link is listed above).