PORTFOLIO

CONTEXTUAL STATEMENT

 

Project Description

 

"Echoes of Generations" is a deeply personal, multidisciplinary art project that delves into the complexities of identity, cultural heritage, and womanhood through confessional writing and visual art. The project began with a foundational text based on my own experiences and those of my mother and grandmothers. This text set the stage for the entire body of work, exploring themes of personal history, intergenerational trauma, and the persistent bonds of womanhood. It provided a narrative framework that informed both the visual and interactive components of the project.

Presenting "Echoes of Generations" to audiences in the UK and Cyprus proved both challenging and rewarding. Despite the distinct cultural contexts of Leamington Spa and Cyprus, audience reactions were strikingly similar, underscoring the universal appeal and relevance of the themes explored. The initial group exhibition at the LSA art room in Leamington Spa was particularly instrumental in shaping the project, offering critical insights that refined the presentation for the subsequent solo exhibition at the NeMe arts centre in Limassol ,Cyprus.

 

Methodology and Methods

 

The visual and textual elements of the project are intertwined through the symbolic use of the dowry sheet. This sheet, a traditional item passed down through generations, serves as both a literal and metaphorical link to the past. The video component, in which my text is narrated in English with echoes of Greek, French, Cantonese and Arabic in the background, reflects the layered nature of my cultural identity and the complexities of self-expression.

An interactive element invites viewers to engage with the work by writing their reflections on another sheet, which contributes to a communal tapestry of shared experiences. 

Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project. The use of a recycled bed sheet as the central element underscores a commitment to environmentally conscious art-making. This choice not only honors the past but also minimizes the project’s ecological impact. The video format, serving as a digital medium for the narrative, further aligns with sustainable practices by reducing the need for physical resources.

 

Context

 

"Echoes of Generations" is deeply embedded in feminism and confessional art, drawing from a blend of artistic, theoretical, and socio-cultural influences. Central to its foundation is Hélène Cixous's seminal work, "The Laugh of the Medusa," which champions the empowerment of women through the reclaiming of their voices and identities via writing. This principle of écriture féminine serves as the critical framework for the project, steering its examination of identity, heritage, and the female experience.

Gloria E. Anzaldúa’s Autohistoria-teoría and Lauren Fournier’s work on auto theory further inform the project’s approach. Anzaldúa’s method of intertwining personal narrative with cultural critique allows for a nuanced examination of identity, while Fournier’s exploration of the intersection of theory and autobiography in art provides a framework for understanding the personal as political.

Artistically, the project is influenced by the confessional practices of Virginia Woolf, Tracey Emin, and Sophie Calle. Woolf’s exploration of inner life and her stream-of-consciousness narrative style have shaped my approach to personal narrative and introspection. Emin’s raw, unfiltered confessional art, which blurs the lines between the personal and the public, resonates with my use of personal narratives to explore universal themes of womanhood and cultural heritage. Sophie Calle’s investigative approach to personal history and identity, often involving meticulous documentation and the relationship between text and image, parallels my use of journal writing and visual art to construct a layered narrative. Inspired by these ideas and the lived experiences of my mother and grandmothers—women displaced by war and social upheaval—this project examines how writing and art defy patriarchal oppression and articulate the inexpressible aspects of women’s experiences. 

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