Name/Title
Ghost Fragment B52 (Freer Study Collection)Entry/Object ID
2023.21.01Description
Gwenessa Lam is a visual artist and educator. Her artwork stems from interests in perception and the compression of time and memory within images and objects.
Lam's work centers on the contested nature of collective memory, focusing on how historical objects and domestic spaces reflect this struggle. She explores the emotional and social impact of losing artifacts to disasters, censorship, or misidentification. Her practice, encompassing drawing and painting, delves into the complexities of ancient archaeological artifacts and their potential to challenge established cultural categories.
By examining fragmented historical accounts, both personal and collective, Lam challenges conventional historical narratives. She creates new, speculative narratives by reimagining these fragments, emphasizing the significance of rupture and erasure in shaping our understanding of the past.Artwork Details
Medium
acrylic and colour pencil on paperDimensions
Height
50.8 cmWidth
50.8 cm