Jason Mitcham's childhood residence in Greensboro, North Carolina, has been lost to time. In 2011, the local authorities utilized eminent domain to acquire the property, transforming the area into what is now Gate City Boulevard. Mitcham revisited the site in 2023, only to find it replaced by a paved thoroughfare, with remnants of garages and barns still hinting at the neighborhood's past.
To honor this treasured location, Mitcham created "Ever Behind the Sunset," a heartfelt stop-motion film that weaves together expressive visuals with audio recordings from his mother and personal home videos from the 1980s. The film employs bold, textured brushstrokes to convey a narrative filled with loss, nostalgia, and reflection, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere.
Mitcham explains that the film encapsulates a series of personal and community tragedies: "the downfall of my father's engineering firm after the 2008 housing crisis, my parents' financial struggles, my father's passing, followed by my mother's, and the community's resistance against commercial developments that threaten to change their neighborhood forever."
For those interested, a behind-the-scenes video reveals more about the artist's creative process and insights. Discover an extensive collection of his films and canvas works on his personal website and social media profiles.