I have always been curious about better understanding my extended family, a large and generally disconnected bunch, many of whom I have photos and faint memories of, but no strong ties. As I've grown and learned more about my family’s history, I can recognize how many of these connections were lost. Domestic violence, substance use, and unresolved trauma play a large part in the lack of connectedness we have towards one another. I’m especially interested in how that shapes the experiences of my grandmothers, mothers and myself.
My sweetest memories are associated with celebrating, cooking and eating. The women in my life are, by and large, the ones who continue to pass down these traditions. Our relationships with food are similarly complicated to our relationships with one another. Everything shared, taught, internalized. Not only how we make food, but how we eat it, how we talk about it and about our bodies. What we shouldn’t eat because we're trying to be “good”. What we make when we’re hosting a party, when we’re struggling to pay the bills, when someone we love is sick. Socialized to provide comfort and tender care for others, often at the expense of showing tenderness towards ourselves.
The process of making this work allows me to reflect on the relationship and stories I have of the women in my life. Using food and everyday objects, this series of work serves as an abstracted matrilineal family tree.
