Label
I started working on this piece when my father passed away. Spade represents the
act of digging a grave. Since I was very close to my father and was hurt due to my
father’s sudden and untimely death, the spade sat in my studio for years, but I
didn’t find courage to work on it any further. Every time I thought about working
on it – I lost another family member, my mother, my elder brother, which added to
my pain of loss and made it difficult to work on this piece any further.
Recent situation in the world due to war, destruction, displacement, and loss gave
me courage and motivation to complete this installation. I felt connected to many
families who have lost loved ones especially young kids due to current situation.
There has been high percentage of casualties of young kids in Gaza during recent
war.
I felt it was time that I poured my feelings into the piece and shed light onto
the current situation.
39 carved mahogany pacifiers represent motherhood/parenthood referring to 39 weeks
of pregnancy. Pacifiers represent not just young kids but also innocent people.
4 butterflies represent 4 family members I have lost (both parents and two
brothers), 6 flowers represent 6 kids my parents had. Lizards are to symbolize the
uncomfortable feeling as they lurk around pacifiers, flowers, and butterflies.
I feel what’s personal is also universal and this installation not just represent
my memories of love and loss but also of many.