Suellen Symons

Fall from Grace

This series of work describes a metamorphic and romantic voyage in the poignant lives of twin acrobats Louise and Eva. The sisters are written about in Fall From Grace1 by Sarah Maitland in a tale of innocence, wonder, history and final tragedy.

The twins grew up in a provincial French circus as acrobats and escaped the itinerant life of struggle and sweat for the bright lights of the capitol, attracted by Monsieur Eiffel’s tower which defied gravity, as acrobats from all over France left their circuses to support his vision.

Paris was their garden paradise. They were a hit in the Salons des Femmes as well as the boites of Montmatre, where they performed the can can. 

They became feted by the powerful Contessa della Colubria who mesmerised the girls with her charm and elegance.

Eva liked the stories of the attention but could not communicate to Louise that the Contessa favoured her and wanted to divide them.
The series finale speaks of the triumphant unity of spirit and soul when the sisters climb the Eiffel Tower to undertake the best performance of their lives.

 In Women Who Run With the Wolves Clarissa Pinkola Estes gives examples of folk lore from South America in which the female twins represent the inner and outer worlds of a woman, and to separate them is the break a woman off from her soul.

 The series of type C photographs capture the interpreted visual narrative set in the period of time at the sumptuous State Theatre in Sydney. Please read the catalogue essay FALL FROM GRACE pdf to understand more and interpret the photographs in your own way.

 Suellen Symons