New York-based artist Ward Roberts has chosen the most romantic day of the year to publish a new photography collection.
New York-based artist Ward Roberts has chosen the most romantic day of the year to publish a new photography collection.
Ward Roberts
The collection features images showing animals' hearts floating in a pale void.
The collection features images showing animals' hearts floating in a pale void.
Ward Roberts
The images were created in collaboration with Irish folk musician and poet Fionn Regan.
The images were created in collaboration with Irish folk musician and poet Fionn Regan.
Ward Roberts
The series has been titled "Stars that paint" (2015-2018).
The series has been titled "Stars that paint" (2015-2018).
Ward Roberts
Artist Roberts said he was "often met with cringey-ness," when discussing the project.
Artist Roberts said he was "often met with cringey-ness," when discussing the project.
Ward Roberts
On seeing the project, many people considered the hearts to be "soft" or even aesthetically pleasing.
On seeing the project, many people considered the hearts to be "soft" or even aesthetically pleasing.
Ward Roberts
Roberts has been documenting hearts since 2015.
Roberts has been documenting hearts since 2015.
Ward Roberts
The project is intended to tackle serious issues like heart failure and Ward's own, experience with heartache.
The project is intended to tackle serious issues like heart failure and Ward's own, experience with heartache.
Ward Roberts
The 31-year-old artist was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (or arrhythmia) when he was in his 20s.
The 31-year-old artist was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (or arrhythmia) when he was in his 20s.
Ward Roberts
"My left heart chamber doesn't beat correctly -- it's like a jazz song with no consistency," Roberts said of his diagnosis.
"My left heart chamber doesn't beat correctly -- it's like a jazz song with no consistency," Roberts said of his diagnosis.
Ward Roberts
Despite the increased risk of stroke, the artist has decided to poke fun at his rare disorder.
Despite the increased risk of stroke, the artist has decided to poke fun at his rare disorder.
Ward Roberts
His photos also examine the dichotomy of the heart -- the way it reflects both sadness and joy -- by combining dark undertones with a light visual softness.
His photos also examine the dichotomy of the heart -- the way it reflects both sadness and joy -- by combining dark undertones with a light visual softness.
Ward Roberts
Roberts' previous photo essays, which have covered topics including abandoned sport courts and solitary beach-goers.
Roberts' previous photo essays, which have covered topics including abandoned sport courts and solitary beach-goers.
Ward Roberts
Sourced from roadkill, the hearts featured in the series came from 20 different species of animal, including goats, deer, horses, raccoons and even an ostrich.
Sourced from roadkill, the hearts featured in the series came from 20 different species of animal, including goats, deer, horses, raccoons and even an ostrich.
Ward Roberts