SOMAS
What [(Is It) About My] Memory
These soma wall sculptures, symbolic of neural cell bodies, represent particular groupings of memories:
family, friends, homes, celebrations, travels, favorite songs, favorite books, games, scents, art, flavors, challenges, spiritual teachings, favorite places, . . . Cards with memories hang on copper dendrites radiating out from each soma, connecting to other somas in the installation. This project is in a work in progress, with fifteen - twenty somas planned. Below is a sampling.
family, friends, homes, celebrations, travels, favorite songs, favorite books, games, scents, art, flavors, challenges, spiritual teachings, favorite places, . . . Cards with memories hang on copper dendrites radiating out from each soma, connecting to other somas in the installation. This project is in a work in progress, with fifteen - twenty somas planned. Below is a sampling.
JOURNALS and LETTERS |
Wood, wire, paint, fabric, paper, journals, marker 19 diameter x 3 inches 2020 Though I had a young girl's diary in elementary school, complete with a tiny key, I began a more serious journal in 7th grade . . . lists of favorite songs and books, creating emotion and hormone driven poetry, collecting inspirational quotes, responding to life events. These evolved over the years and I have all of them (except one left on an airplane) and also most letters written to me . I have also become the repository of letters to and from my elders, who deemed them important records of their lives. Our brains alter memories over time, but re-reading the recording of events can give us a truer sense of being back in the those times. |
EARTH |
Wood, metal cans, wire, paint, metal rings, rocks, ribbons, soil samples 33 x 37 x 3 inches 2020 My great-aunt Vera, who lived on the homestead, "the family place," in Texas, told me, that, wherever my family might move or where I might be, I would always have a connection to the land. She saw that in me. At some point, I began collecting small samples of soil, sand, decaying matter along streams to place in vials that now line surfaces in my bathroom, reminding me of moments when I paused to recognize this connection |
ATTIRE |
Wood, wire, paint, fabric, buttons, metal rings, marker 18 x 22 x 2.5 inches 2020 My maternal grandmother was a seamstress. She and my mother sewed most of my clothes until I was old enough to save up money from babysitting and chores to purchase a coveted pair of jeans or shoes or . . . Sometimes these clothes held treasured memories and it was difficult to part with them. Dresses from special events, boots which had protected my feet over many miles through mountains and forests, my first welding shirt, pants I wore until threadbare during my creative processes . . . |
SCATTERSHOT MEMORIES 1 |
Wood, metal cans, text, paper, maché, paint, markers, wire, padlocks, keys, paper tags 24" diameter x 5" deep 2017 Our brain can bring up random memories unconnected to present circumstances, our subconscious making less than obvious connections . . . mind pops, déjà vu, providing involuntary, but often interesting paths to follow |
BEACHES |
Wood, wooden box, sea shells, paint, beads, sand, burlap, fabric, ribbon, jute 26" diameter x 5" deep 2018 I have found that time walking on beaches has often been meditative, assisting me in being present and bringing forth insights . . . the rhythm of the waves, the feel of the different textures of sand on bare feet, the shell that brings forth ideas as in Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book Gift from the Sea |
BOOKS AND AUTHORS |
Wood, photographs, text, paint, markers, wire, fabric, metal box, tags 28 " diameter x 5" deep 2017 Stories shared and told through books . . . books that create opportunities to learn more about ourselves, others and the world . . . books that develop our world view . . . books that entertain and divert . . . books that we remember and re-read and relish |
SCATTERSHOT MEMORIES 2 |
Wood, wire, fabric, paint, aluminum can, paper 29" diameter x 8 " 2018 Our brain can bring up random memories unconnected to present circumstances, our subconscious making less than obvious connections . . . mind pops, déjà vu, providing involuntary, but often interesting paths to follow |
GARDENS |
Wood, wire, paint, fabric, ribbon, strings, seeds, glass bottles, paper, marker 19 diameter x 2.5 inches 2020 My relatives were all gardeners. For food, for beauty. My mother was a master gardener and in each of the many places to which my parents moved, part of the home-creating was developing garden spaces. When I finally settled into a long-term home, the one I am in now, I learned about xeric and hardy and native plants and came to understand the peace and satisfaction in gardening. My mother's last request of me, before she moved into an assisted care facility, was to take her back to one of her favorite places on earth, Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. The joy on her face as she took in the beauty and bountiful color is a treasured memory. |
MUSIC |
Wood, wire, paint, paper, plastic tags, marker 20 x 25 x 2.5 inches 2020 What are the first songs we remember? What did we listen to when we were relaxing, playing, gathering, on road trips? What songs motivated us, inspired us, made us happy or agitated or sad or were cathartic? What concerts did we attend and with whom? What songs are tied to our history and our collective histories? |
FAMILY |
Wood, wire, paint, paper, marker, metal charms, string 20 x 24 x 2.5 inches 2020 The stories of our ancestors, our immediate and chosen families, how we interacted, cared for each other, disagreed, listened . . . the things we have in common, the ways we are different, the generational memories and experiences that live inside us and influence our world views |
CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES |
Wood, wire, paint, metal charms, wooden beads, suede, fabric,, ribbon, marker 20 x 24 x 2.5 2020 How did we spend time outside of school? In clubs, in sports, learning new skills, community service? What ephemera remains from these times? What marked our progress, our experiences? The wooden beads of Camp Fire Girls, Scout badges, certificates, sashes, medals, charms, photos in yearbooks? |