FIELD RESEARCH PHOTOS

Below is a small sample of the thousands of photographs I have taken in the locations I visit as part of my ongoing research into the relationships between our minds and our physical surroundings. Click on each image to view a suite of images.

Images : © 2016 - 2025 Richard Pasquarelli. All rights reserved.

ART COLLECTION STORAGE FACILITIES

My recent paintings are inspired by field research I have conducted in the hidden storage facilities of major private, museum, and university art collections. Although my work has predominantly focused on personal relationships with objects, I am also interested in what we, as a society, collect and save, and the importance we assign to these objects as a form of public hoarding.

PERSONAL SPACES

EDWARD

Edward, an information hoarder who lives in New York City, is the first person suffering from hoarding disorder that I visited as part of my research. His home was filled with thousands of objects. Tucked behind many of the heaps of books, magazines, and clothing, were barely visible beautiful works of art. Spending two hours with Ed, I took over 1800 photographs of his home.

ELLEN

I met Ellen while attending a professional psychology conference regarding hoarding. Some presented studies that discussed the causes of hoarding disorder, including childhood trauma, genetics, and anxiety. What I have learned has influenced the way that he see these environments, as I consider the ways the subconscious is evidenced in the objects people surround themselves with.

RON

Ron was a successful fashion designer in the 1980’s. His obsession with the human form was evident throughout his home. Stacks of old pornographic magazines, erotic dolls, and artworks he created himself surrounded me. The furnishings were sensual, warm, and inviting.

SHARON

Sharon is an aesthetic and recycling hoarder. She is drawn to collect objects because of their visually appealing qualities. Her home was an explosion of color. She had also prepared many “care packages,” boxes ready to ship, filled with items that she thought might be useful to others.

CATHERINE

Catherine is someone I can easily relate to. Every object was meticulously placed and balanced with the objects around them. Even the post-it notes on the refrigerator were perfectly spaced with one another. Not a smidge of imbalance. One might say Catherine’s environment is just aesthetically pleasing and well-designed. But it’s more than that. It’s about control. Having control of one’s environment helps create a sense of control in one’s mind.

GAYA

Gaya is one of the friendliest people I have met during my research. She has a big smile and a big laugh. Her home, as well as her attire, is predominantly colored in black, white, and red. Her vitality and joviality are made manifest in her surroundings.