North Cambridge Artist Association

John Hubbell

My current photographic work has centered on the deconstruction of Metropolitan State Hospital in Waltham as it was being converted into luxury apartments. The property had been sold by the State to a private developer a number of years ago, after the hospital had been closed in 1991. The facility had been one of the state institutions for the mentally ill from 1930 until 1991. It was my hope that the photographs would document this transformation and create some record to help remember the impact that the institution had on those who lived there, their families and those who worked there.

Most of the photographs were taken during the early morning hours as I find this light particularly evocative. Also most were taken between November 2006 and April 2007. All the photographs were taken with 35mm film. Most of the images are 8x12 unframed, although I have enlarged a few of the images to 16x24.

There will also be an exhibit of the photographs at Cambridge Hospital from April 14th to May 10th.

Prior to this project, I spent a number of years photographing the construction of the Leonard P. Zakim Bridge.