Talent

In 2013, Vivian Maier’s remarkable story was brought to life in the Oscar-nominated documentary Finding Vivian Maier. The film follows the journey of John Maloof, a young man from Chicago who, in 2007, bought a box of negatives at an auction. As he reviewed the photographs, he realised he had uncovered the work of a lost master. This discovery led him to piece together Vivian’s life, ultimately revealing a stunning collection of street photography from 1950s and 60s Chicago. By the time her art came to light, Vivian had already passed away, leaving behind only faint traces of her existence and countless unanswered questions: Who was she? Why did she keep these extraordinary images hidden? Was her role as a nanny a deliberate cover for her life as an artist?

Vivian’s story reminds me of one of my favourite authors, Fernando Pessoa. Over the course of his life, Pessoa invented more than 70 fictional authors, each with unique backgrounds and personalities, and published works under their names. Like Vivian, his genius went largely unrecognised during his lifetime. Despite leading such a solitary life, Pessoa indulged deep into his imagination, creating the entire universe within his mind.

Chiwi Journal Substack & Podcast | Network School V1 Admits |
👉🏻www.camelliayang.com

I deeply admire creators like Vivian Maier and Fernando Pessoa—those who quietly observed and reflected on the human condition while remaining unnoticed. Free from the distractions of fame and societal expectations, they dedicated themselves to introspection and capturing the essence of our worlds. 

For both Vivian and Pessoa, how future generations interpreted their creations likely mattered little. Once a work is complete, it gains a life of its own, open to countless perspectives. For them, the true fulfilment was in the act of creation. As for their enduring impact, that is left for history to decide.