My current work evolved from the connection between memory and heirlooms. Looking specifically at objects that are saved and passed down, I investigate how memories are inherited through artifacts collected through the generations, such as fine china and lace fabrics used for special occasions. These physical objects become placeholders for the intangible memories that can grow and change over time, indicating the idea of a memory but not revealing the full story. This continuation builds a connection between the objects, memory, and individuals. I document and interpret these artifacts through various digital and physical techniques, transforming them into metaphors of the past and of the parts of people that construct my own identity.
The narratives constructed within the work are not necessarily fact, but can be ‘imagined’, as the viewer attempts to fill the gaps of knowledge. As the viewer examines the layers of imagery built up from these elements, they uncover the paradox of these unreliable memories. These images trigger not only the past, but also the concepts that can anchor a sense of self. They are a tether to the experiences that have shaped my own sense of self. These examples of the storing of memory and preserving of self in previous generations in an inherently connected society become a base from which new generations build their identity. This carefully crafted experience of art, psychology, and nostalgia allows the viewer to reflect upon their own past and the development of the self.