From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Marshall To grew up hearing stories about the supernatural world, one that co-existed with the physical world. His family, Chinese immigrants in rural Canada, was Taoist. They believed that humans were surrounded by the spirits of loved ones. He remembers celebrating the Hungry Ghosts Festival on the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, when the gates of Hell were opened to allow ghosts to roam the earth in search of food. He explains that the festival is a time to celebrate and venerate deceased loved ones. But it also is a dangerous time because the ghosts are hungry. To get what they want, the spirits can take many forms – birds, snakes, foxes, tigers and even a beautiful man or woman.

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

When he was younger, To was embarrassed by these festivals and rituals that clashed with the small town rural Canadian culture he was surrounded by. But after spending time exploring these rituals and family memories, he has embraced them and in the process has created a book that is mesmerizing and unique.

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Most of his photographs were taken at night and he is intensely afraid of the dark. That tension and fear is reflected in his photographs – a mix of animals, rituals like burning incense, forlorn landscapes and people who often look like they are in a dream. The black matte paper used throughout the book, the grainy photos, the glare of the flashlight illuminating some photos, all add to a feeling of anxiety that pulls you into To’s spectacular ghost story.

An interview with the artist follows.

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Marshall To is a multidisciplinary artist focusing on photography, painting and illustrations. He grew up in a Taoist family in a small town called Red Deer which created a unique integration of western landscape and eastern beliefs. He moved to Vancouver where he currently resides, working as a Chef. Growing up in a Chinese immigrant household, food was integral to the culture and more importantly was a language used to communicate. Unsatisfied with just cooking, Marshall began taking pictures of food and quickly began photographing and styling for local magazines and websites, and then endeavored to seek even more with photography and art.

Website: https://marshalljamesto.com/
Instagram: @marshalljamesto @charcoalpress
Link to order “Blank Notes” from Charcoal Press

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Artist Statement:
“I remember having a fever one night after visiting my grandmother’s grave. I Felt like I was on fire, twisted inside out. I could smell the incense and heard frantic prayers. I was helpless, and felt controlled by something else…something other. The prayers repeated over and over as the fever and incense burned. All of a sudden, a deafening CRACK sounded from inside the ceiling. It was loud as thunder, and then there was silence. The incense burnt out and the prayers stopped. It seemed only natural that the veil separating the living and the dead might be as thin as the line between life and death.”

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Congratulations. Remarkable book. Unlike anything I’ve seen. What does the title, “Blank Notes,” mean?

Thank you very much. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.

In Taoist culture during funerals, festivals or any days of remembrance, we burn blank paper notes that are supposed to resemble money so that those who have passed can use it to spend there. I remember how fun it was as a child throwing this fake money up in the air or putting it into a metal bucket to burn and it stuck with me.

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Your father, a Taoist, believed that humans were surrounded by the spirits of loved ones, that the supernatural and physical worlds coexisted. You must have heard a lot of ghost stories from your dad growing up. You mention the festival held on the 15th day of the 7th month in the lunar calendar, when the gates of Hell were open to allow Hungry Ghosts to roam in search of food. Did you talk to your friends in rural Canada about any of this while you were growing up?

My mom came over from China during the cultural revolution, and my dad came over from Hong Kong around the same time in the 70’s. So they came from a place that coincided with the older world, and they brought with them the old stories. Often those stories involved the spiritual realms.

When I was growing up in Red Deer, Alberta, we were essentially one of 2 or 3 Chinese families in the city so it was kind of difficult to bring up any of these rituals or stories in a way that made sense to them, because it didn’t really make sense to me. As a kid I very much kept those worlds separate, perhaps because of fear or embarrassment. I’m not really sure. But that’s why this book is so important to me now. It gave me an opportunity to reconcile and embrace where and what I came from.

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

What made you decide you wanted to capture this unseen world in photographs?

At the beginning I was just photographing because I enjoyed it, not thinking too much about it at all. But then came the purpose and possibility of a book. Through the many mind opening occasions at Chico Review, I was able to begin thinking of possibilities of making something uniquely my own, the countless books, artists and movies I was exposed to really gave me the imagination of what I could create. I decided to reconcile and embrace all my experiences as a Chinese Canadian and tell a new story that is inspired by all the old stories.

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

You did a beautiful job capturing the supernatural world. Can you tell me a bit about your approach. It looks like you mainly shot at night or in fog. Did you have specific animals or person or scenes in mind, or did you wander around hoping the spirits would find you?

At first it began with trying to conquer the fear of the dark, wandering parks at night trying to capture animals as most of them are more active at night. I chose animals that I found fascinating and did a bit of research on which animals were important in Asian cultures.

Once I stayed in the dark long enough for the fear to pass, it became so peaceful. The anxieties of the day don’t seem as primal as the anxieties of the night.

I was told as a child not to do anything disrespectful during the festival nights as there was a chance that those who wander and have no families might follow you home. So still to this day, I try not to do any disrespectful things at night, even on non-festival nights. I’m definitely not trying to find spirits, because there’s a part of me that believes that they might be everywhere and it makes me truly afraid.

From ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Did this change at all your relation to nature or how you think of the supernatural world? What was your family’s reaction to this photobook?

I think it did change my relationship with both. As for nature, I see this incredibly old world that has been there before us and has seen it all and that includes the supernatural world which to me coincides with nature.

My family has had such a supportive reaction to my photobook. I’m not sure they necessarily understand it, but I’m not sure if I completely understand it. So yeah, they’ve given me every opportunity to make this work, and that’s all I can every ask for.

The cover of  ‘Blank Notes’ by Marshall To, published by Charcoal Press

Is there anything else you would like to add?

For those who are wishing to pursue art in the world: Pursue openness, pursue grace and pursue failure.