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I photographed my mother and I holding hands, inspired by the poem I accidentally wrote and collaged it onto her ceramic vase. Much like film photography, ceramics demands time, patience and hands-on craftsmanship, a rewarding process that has no instant gratification. This vase symbolises and represents the battle I face losing my mom, time passing by and trying to hold onto our connection forever.
Embarking on this project has been an immensely meaningful journey, delving into the depths of my mother's story and my own. A primary objective of mine was to deepen my grasp of alternative print-making techniques, a goal that I successfully realised. The risograph process, acting as a bridge between digital and analogue printing, involves a deliberate and unhurried duplication of work, embodying a methodical approach. Central themes in my work revolve around memory, connection, and the nuanced documentation of the passage of time. I came to realise that the impulse to cling onto fragments of the past is a universal human inclination, often expressed through the medium of photography—a tool that serves as a vessel for remembrance and the preservation of moments.
Navigating through her archival materials, I found myself at times feeling lost, uncertain of what exactly I was seeking after. In the human quest for connection, I recognised that I was yearning for a reconnection to the essence of my mother that I felt slipping away. Yet, her presence is not entirely lost; alternative avenues, such as this project, offer continued opportunities to sustain and deepen that connection. I opened the windows to the mirror of her life—a profound reflection where I carefully preserved fragments of her essence.
This essence and intentionality will serve as guiding forces in my future artistic works, where I aim to emulate her distinctive thought processes and way of being.
As humans, we all choose which parts of ourselves to reveal to the world, and in my case, I've chosen to share this deep connection, the joy encapsulated in her life, and the beautiful bond between us. It's a hand-in-hand journey within this reservoir of memories. Holding hands forever, always.
My mother, a historiographer in her own right, consciously and unconsciously documented nearly every facet of her life, providing us with a privileged window into her perspective. Opting to preserve and showcase this archive is my way of honouring her vision.
The storage of family photo albums has always fascinated me. Often forgotten about and discarded in distant boxes, these photographs encapsulate sacred memories. In my reinterpretation of her images, I strive to present them in a new space, weaving fresh meanings into her work while ensuring that her essence remains fully intact. It's a deliberate effort to amplify the resonance of her narrative and allow her vision to persist in its own sacred space. I cling to the memories of her, the ones that she has left behind.