Gallery

ARTWORK DETAILS

Name: Isabelle Uy	School:
Title: Thelma’s Trip Down Memory Lane	Medium: Installation
Description: Five cylindrical totem poles made from card, mod rock plaster, transparent images, string lights - installed in ascending height.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Human experiences are precious, a glimpse of permanence amidst the irreversibility and temporariness of life. Material possessions and money come and go as they please – but our strongest memories stick with us, allowing us to truly appreciate our short time on earth. Thelma’s Trip Down Memory Lane contains soft lights; illuminating little windows into the memories of my grandmother, Thelma. Collating her life into a single entity, we see scenes from her childhood, teen years, career, family life, and travel, adorned with symbols such as musical notes representing her love of music, and a cross for her unwavering Catholic faith.

ARTWORK PROCESS

I cut and sanded holes in cardboard tubes before adding lighting and photos printed on transparences. I joined the tubes together using mod rock which created a rough surface texture. The bandaged look of the plaster added to the delicate quality of the work. I also sculpted symbolic adornments on to the surface. I experimented with coloured lights, but opted for warm lights as it contributed to the nostalgic and warm aesthetic of my work.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Isabelle Uy

I am a Filipino artist, born in New Zealand and raised in Australia. A constant presence in my life has been my family, whom are my inspirations for my artworks. I love capturing profound human emotions and memories through paintings, drawings, and installation. I like to think my works are a celebration and appreciation for people, and for the little, “mundane” things in life.