Self and The Other

3D printed, 2024

Artist Statement:

_{My work explores the complex relationship between the “Self” and “The Other”, using a mother-daughter bond, between myself and my mum.}

_{This bond shows a unique perspective on how two individual connections can form through identities. Both mother and daughter present mirrors, as well as opposites, reflecting on each other’s spirit through the idea of touch. This concept is extremely important to me because of the close relationship I have with my mum. Beginning from the womb, to birth, entering the world with your “Other” my mum, this is the first experience of a relationship with another human being. I use my relationship with my mum as a metaphor, for the broader human experience of connection and contact.}

_{I am intrigued by the concept that a mother’s impact can remain embedded within the daughter, as she grows up entering the world. The act of mothering is a natural maternal process that develops and evolves over time with the child’s growth.}

_{Through my work, I use sculpture to portray the skin-to-skin contact, deeply influenced by the Yin and Yang theory. That is, where two complementary forces configure all aspects of life, no element better than the other. Both forces are interconnected balancing each other which ensures conformity. The sculptures I have displayed are two individual artworks. The piece displayed as “The Self” is a 3D printed scan of both mine and my mother’s faces connected yet pointing in opposite directions. This suggests that my mum is an extension of myself, even when I am alone, I always feel connected to her. My second piece titled “The Other” is a similar 3d printed scan of our faces but instead we are both looking directly at each other. This visualises the closeness and warmth felt when I spend time physically with my mum.}

_{This closeness is the same feeling felt even when I am not looking directly at my mum (ie in “the self”).}