Brain and Perception Changes
The Fragile Vessel: Mapping Memory and Decline
The Work This project explores the intimate and harrowing experience of navigating life with the father of my children as he faces Parkinson’s disease and cognitive decline. Through this work, I examine the profound neurological shifts that alter perception, language, and personal orientation, transforming a social and intellectual being into a person who is simultaneously present and absent.
The Reality of Disconnection The transformation occurs at unpredictable speeds. Some days bring mental clarity; others are defined by confusion and a struggle for word retrieval. My work captures this disconnection—the fragments of memory, the hallucinations, and a persistent spatial disorientation. Despite being wheelchair-bound, he exists in a reality where he still walks and works, vividly recalling conversations with co-workers. This fusion of motor and non-motor symptoms highlights a crude reality: a deep vulnerability and a total reliance on others.
The Visual Metaphor The composition contrasts two states of being:
The Left: A healthy brain creating a cohesive mental map of past, present, and future.
The Right: Declining activity, where memories are fragmented and perceptions of time are disordered.
I utilize a white textile background as a fluid metaphor for the visible and invisible changes in the brain and personality. I chose to portray the brain as a vase—representing it as a precious, fragile vessel that holds the weight of life’s experiences while still envisioning a better world.
Re: Turning the stories
Catching Memories showcases experiences at the Nika Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, and the history of the Nikkei people in Southern Alberta, who, despite facing challenges, have made significant contributions to the region's agriculture and community.
Japanese culture’s focus on nature, tradition, and aesthetics shapes its art, literature, lifestyle, and religion. My work draws on this, depicting experiences from the Japanese Garden—like "Toro Nagashi," reflections in nature, the Winter Light Festival, and tea ceremonies.
A room divider evokes the intimacy of Japanese interiors for me. Here, I share revived memories using textile materials that connect symbolically to Japan's textile cultural history. Considering the cultural and environmental importance of trees, I sketched invisible tree trunks on the wall and placed works between them.
I aim to preserve and share brief moments of human connection and cultural tradition that unite individuals across time and space.
Artwork Details - Photos of the "Toro Nagashi" ceremony and visits to Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden at different times.
Artworks blend multiple materials and artistic techniques.
Interwoven Knots
The STRUDELBRAND! Project group exhibited at The Gallery at Casa canvases with photos of public spaces in Lethbridge; they invited artist to claim a canvas to work on it.
Interwoven Knots collage began with research into where Sebastian and Nine took the photo, as well as the building's original name. I then explored its history as the former CFCN (Channel 4 Calgary News) semi-satellite in Lethbridge.
I visited the former CTV Lethbridge site at 640 13 St N, Lethbridge, and observed its location, atmosphere, and exterior. Inspired by the building’s triptych-like photo, the labels “NEWS” and “PHOTO,” I based my work on these impressions.
Collage Structure and Thematic Elements
I envisioned the collage as a triptych, with three distinct panels representing the interconnectedness of community memories and contemporary experiences within Lethbridge. Each section evokes a sense of place and time, blending past and present through both imagery and symbolism.
Left Panel: Site History
The left side of the collage shows the rich history of the location. This panel serves as a visual archive, capturing the legacy and stories associated with the site. By highlighting significant historical moments, it provides viewers with a deeper understanding of the building’s past and its importance to the community.
Central Panel: Community Events
The central panel, marked by the prominent label "PHOTO," focuses on events that have shaped Lethbridge, drawing connections between past and present occurrences. Announcements of current happenings reveal the time during which I created the collage. This central area acts as a dynamic space for reflection and engagement, bridging historical context with ongoing community life.
Right Panel: Nature and Playfulness
The right panel introduces a playful element to the composition, featuring a collage of locally collected dry leaves and flowers. This section celebrates the natural beauty of the area and adds a tactile, organic dimension to the artwork, inviting viewers to appreciate the surroundings and the creative spirit of the community.
My aim is to evoke the atmosphere of a vacant building on an autumn day that nevertheless retains a sense of vitality—a space where individuals are free to share their interests by posting news on the walls. Naturally, this concept exists solely within my imagination.
