MIKE

Through a mix of family archive photos and Elijah Howe’s own images, MIKE is a son’s reflection on the life of his father, seen through the eyes of those closest to him. From his youth as the lead singer of a heavy metal band to his quieter, middle-aged years as a husband and father, the photographs build a layered portrait of Mike Howe’s identity. Yet, after his death, the narrative unravels into chaos and emptiness, conveying the profound and unsettling impact of loss. MIKE is a poignant look at how we remember and carry those who have passed, revealing how absence can be as powerful as presence.

Elijah Howe is a photographer from Humboldt County, California. He received his BA in photography from Humboldt State University and his MFA from the University of Kentucky. He has recently had solo shows at 2nd Story Gallery and Bolivar Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky and has work in the permanent collection of the Monroe Moosnick Medical and Science Museum at Transylvania University.

Mike Howe (August 21, 1965 – July 26, 2021) was an American heavy metal singer who performed with Metal Church, Heretic, and Snair. After leaving Metal Church, Mike pursued a career in carpentry and was a father to two sons. He rejoined Metal Church in 2015, producing two more albums before his death in 2021.