Goodbye, 2017
Death, Decay, Impermanence
Human hair, worn hair extensions, embroidery hoops, cloth
Dimensions Variable
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The irrational fear of death can be attributed to the attachment we feel towards our physical body, as it acts as a platform that expresses our identity and individuality. Dealing with death, decay and impermanence, I am currently exploring the idea of maintaining one’s identity in absence of the physical body. Constant updates on social media platforms of my deceased friends’ profiles, stirred an overwhelming effect in me as I struggle to deal with the confusion of having the knowledge that the person is physically dead but yet still pretty much alive online. Drawing inspiration from this new online phenomenon, this led me to question how I want to be remembered. Confronting the process of preserving one’s identity, I used the detritus of my physical body that I have been collecting up to 10 years as a medium to “preserve” myself. Bodily detritus such as, hair, fingernails, teeth, scabs and extensions of self such as, contact lens and hair extensions are part of the collection. Using my hair, and worn hair extensions to create detailed flower embroidery, I mimicked funeral wreaths and flowers that are often used during funerals. As flowers have a distinct scent, they are not only used as a representation of life and death, but also a reminder of funerals and ephemerality. Quoting Rudi Fuchs, “You don’t like it, so you disguise it or decorate it to make it look like something bearable – to such an extend that it becomes something else.” hair often evokes an eerie feeling, therefore turning it into a detailed or beautiful flower represents the action of masking, much like the act of embalming. The translucent cloth aids in helping the viewer look at both sides of the embroidery, the detailed and pretty, and the slightly disturbing hair at the back, inviting the viewer to take a second look. Hung from the ceiling with fishing lines, the hoops swirls slowly on its own while casting haunting shadows on the floor, creating a solemn mood as you step into the space. The process of this work is very ritualistic as it provides me with the control I want in the preparation of my death, in short, this how I want to be remembered.
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I am drawn to using materials that were once part of a human being, but have since been discarded. Exploring hair as a material further, the work could shift towards producing more three-dimensional works instead of just embroidery. With the inclusion of other forms of bodily detritus, I would like to expand beyond just embroidery and into three-dimensional sculptures, while experimenting with the concept of futile preservation of transience.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Mona Hatoum, and David Hammons, who are know for their usage of body detritus belonging to themselves and others, to create art works that evokes natural processes of change and decay, while addressing the disparities between identity and the private body.
The aim of my research is to create thought provoking artworks that are temporary and to show off its inevitable decay. This is to depict the transience of life and become an agent of their identity and narrative.
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