I spent a year living in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico from 2017 to 2018. For the Merida Doors series, I photographed over 200 doors and maintained an art studio. I found it a good way to explore the city and its neighborhoods. Merida is notable for its colonial homes in various states of revival or disrepair. After the city flourished as the wealthiest city in the world, boasting lavish European-inspired homes and haciendas throughout the 1800s-1900s, the henequen boom dwindled once plastic rope was introduced, and with it, Merida's wealth. Fine colonial homes fell into a realm of decadent decay. Many homes have been renovated over the last 20 years. I found remaining decaying facades intriguing and stunning with their minimal construction and, the color! I traversed through every neighborhood of the city taking photos of the aftermath of its storied past.

Sheila Lanham

Sheila Lanham