It was late in February when the covID-19 pandemic truly became a reality for me. I was in Venice, Italy working on my long-term project in the lagoon when circumstances started taking a turn for the worse.

I had to rush home to try and beat the travel restrictions that were being implemented and, with no small amount of disappointment and frustration, I headed out on a train to Rome and then back to New York.

I didn't accomplish much while in the solitude of the Venetian marshes; only a handful of photographs made the final edit and, in no time, after processing and printing them, I found myself confined to our home, struggling to find a way to practice my photography. It was then that this project was born, when my wife managed to find a way to get groceries and supplies without the need to leave the house to go shopping. Week by week, small boxes of produce started to arrive. I decided to set up my studio lights and photograph the vegetables and products we received, sometimes in simple and stoic ways, and others with a little humor by adding to the compositions objects from around the house and kitchen.

Quaranta: the Italian word for forty and a subtle acknowledgement to this time of quarantine. There are also as many photographs in this limited edition set. The beautiful cherry box was made by hand by Philip Gruppuso owner of Seekonk Woodworking in Massachusetts. I'm grateful to him and my wife for their support and enthusiasm throughout this project. To see the complete series please click here

2020 | Artists’ book. Edition of 4 | 40 5x 7 in. prints in wooden box. Sold out.