SOMAS
What [(Is It) About My] Memory
These soma wall sculptures, symbolic of neural cell bodies, represent particular groupings of memories:
family, friends, homes, celebrations, travels, favorite songs, favorite books, games, scents, art, flavors, challenges, spiritual teachings, favorite places, . . . Cards with memories hang on copper dendrites radiating out from each soma, connecting to other somas in the installation. This project is in a work in progress, with fifteen - twenty somas planned. Below is a sampling.
family, friends, homes, celebrations, travels, favorite songs, favorite books, games, scents, art, flavors, challenges, spiritual teachings, favorite places, . . . Cards with memories hang on copper dendrites radiating out from each soma, connecting to other somas in the installation. This project is in a work in progress, with fifteen - twenty somas planned. Below is a sampling.
SCENTS
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Wood, paint, box, glassware, fabric, string 18" diameter x 5" deep 2017 Our sense of smell is deeply connected to memory . . . a passing aroma quickly connects us to a past experience, a grandfather's cologne, a meal, a parent's garden, cooking with family, happiness, sadness, fear . . . 
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FLAVORS
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Wood, wire, glass bottles, metal charms, paper, string 24 x 26 x 3 inches 2020 Sharing food, cooking for others, traditional family recipes, exploring new spices . . . 
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JOURNALS and LETTERS
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Wood, wire, paint, fabric, paper, journals, marker 19 diameter x 3 inches 2020 Though I had a young girl's diary in elementary school, complete with a tiny key, I began a more serious journal in 7th grade . . . lists of favorite songs and books, creating emotion and hormone driven poetry, collecting inspirational quotes, responding to life events. These evolved over the years and I have all of them (except one left on an airplane) and also most letters written to me . I have also become the repository of letters to and from my elders, who deemed them important records of their lives. Our brains alter memories over time, but re-reading the recording of events can give us a truer sense of being back in the those times. 
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EARTH
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Wood, metal cans, wire, paint, metal rings, rocks, ribbons, soil samples 33 x 37 x 3 inches 2020 My great-aunt Vera, who lived on the homestead, "the family place," in Texas, told me, that, wherever my family might move or where I might be, I would always have a connection to the land. She saw that in me. At some point, I began collecting small samples of soil, sand, decaying matter along streams to place in vials that now line surfaces in my bathroom, reminding me of moments when I paused to recognize this connection 
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ATTIRE
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Wood, wire, paint, fabric, buttons, metal rings, marker 18 x 22 x 2.5 inches 2020 My maternal grandmother was a seamstress. She and my mother sewed most of my clothes until I was old enough to save up money from babysitting and chores to purchase a coveted pair of jeans or shoes or . . . Sometimes these clothes held treasured memories and it was difficult to part with them. Dresses from special events, boots which had protected my feet over many miles through mountains and forests, my first welding shirt, pants I wore until threadbare during my creative processes . . . 
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SCATTERSHOT MEMORIES 1
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Wood, metal cans, text, paper, maché, paint, markers, wire, padlocks, keys, paper tags 24" diameter x 5" deep 2017 Our brain can bring up random memories unconnected to present circumstances, our subconscious making less than obvious connections . . . mind pops, déjà vu, providing involuntary, but often interesting paths to follow 
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MOMENTS OF SELF REFLECTION
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Wood, paint, mirrors, wire, fabric, paper 30 x 33 x 7 inches 2018 Self-reflection often involves analysis of memories . . . what did we do? why did we do it? what could we have done differently? Of what are we proud? what has motivated us? 
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BEACHES
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Wood, wooden box, sea shells, paint, beads, sand, burlap, fabric, ribbon, jute 26" diameter x 5" deep 2018 I have found that time walking on beaches has often been meditative, assisting me in being present and bringing forth insights . . . the rhythm of the waves, the feel of the different textures of sand on bare feet, the shell that brings forth ideas as in Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book Gift from the Sea 
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FORGOTTEN MEMORIES
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Wood, paint, wire, fabric, chain, locks, keys, paper 29 x 32 x 5.5 inches 2018 Why do we forget? Or do we just need stimulus to remember? A friend who shared that memory making? Or are these memories gone through biological, disease processes? 
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TEACHERS AND MENTORS
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Wood, wire, paint, paper, suede, ribbon, marker
18 x 23 x 2.5 inches 2020 School teachers, coaches, spiritual leaders, workshop facilitators, passing sharers of wisdom, a witnessed kindness . . . 
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WORLD EVENTS
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Wood, wire, paint, fabric, string, paper, metal tags, marker 19 diameter x 2.5 inches 2020 Those times that affected generations, that defined our cultures, that raised us up as community and challenged us and brought us together. 
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BOOKS AND AUTHORS
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Wood, photographs, text, paint, markers, wire, fabric, metal box, tags 28 " diameter x 5" deep 2017 Stories shared and told through books . . . books that create opportunities to learn more about ourselves, others and the world . . . books that develop our world view . . . books that entertain and divert . . . books that we remember and re-read and relish 
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TRAVEL
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Wood, wire, paint, maps, fabric, yarn, string, luggage tags 29" diameter x 5" deep 2018 Travel memories - visiting our families, on vacation to other communities, states, countries, to national parks or national monuments, for cultural exchanges or educational opportunities . . . 
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SCATTERSHOT MEMORIES 2
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Wood, wire, fabric, paint, aluminum can, paper 29" diameter x 8 " 2018 Our brain can bring up random memories unconnected to present circumstances, our subconscious making less than obvious connections . . . mind pops, déjà vu, providing involuntary, but often interesting paths to follow 
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GARDENS
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Wood, wire, paint, fabric, ribbon, strings, seeds, glass bottles, paper, marker 19 diameter x 2.5 inches 2020 My relatives were all gardeners. For food, for beauty. My mother was a master gardener and in each of the many places to which my parents moved, part of the home-creating was developing garden spaces. When I finally settled into a long-term home, the one I am in now, I learned about xeric and hardy and native plants and came to understand the peace and satisfaction in gardening. My mother's last request of me, before she moved into an assisted care facility, was to take her back to one of her favorite places on earth, Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. The joy on her face as she took in the beauty and bountiful color is a treasured memory. 
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GAMES
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Wood, wire, paint, fabric, string, plastic tags, glass, paper, marker, game pieces 17 diameter x 2.5 inches 2020 To pass the time, to learn, to enjoy, to cooperate . . . with family, friends, classmates . . .board games, street games, card games, word games, trivia games . . . 
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HOMES
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Wood, wire, paint, locks, keys, dog tags, photos, fabric, raffia, aluminum can 29" diameter x 4.5" deep I have lived in eighteen or more houses or apartments over my life, through moves across cities and the country. Creating a sense of home inevitably creates memories. 
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ART and MUSEUMS
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Wood, metal cans, painted canvas, paint, postcards, metal can, plastic tags, wire, ribbon, raffia 39" high x 34" wide x 5" deep 2018 Our visits to galleries and museums and artistic experiences not only inspire us and create soul connections but also create memories . . . 
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PARTIES and CELEBRATIONS
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Wood, metal can, photographs, paint, markers, wire, ribbon, fabric 22" diameter x 5" deep 2018 Gathering, celebrating, creating food together, entertaining each other . . . these are often our fondest memories 
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ADORNMENT
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Wood, wire, paint, fabric, ribbon, miscellaneous jewelry, marker 21 diameter by 2.5 inches 2020 To show we belong, to demonstrate our individuality, as a connection to another person, to express a belief, to add color and texture to our outward appearance 
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MUSIC
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Wood, wire, paint, paper, plastic tags, marker 20 x 25 x 2.5 inches 2020 What are the first songs we remember? What did we listen to when we were relaxing, playing, gathering, on road trips? What songs motivated us, inspired us, made us happy or agitated or sad or were cathartic? What concerts did we attend and with whom? What songs are tied to our history and our collective histories? 
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CHALLENGES
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Wood, wire, metal trimmings, paint, fabric, crushed glass, glue 20 x 22 x 4 inches 2020 The cycles and events that take us into darkness, that question who we are and our abilities to meet change and opportunity, who we need to be to continue to navigate the world 
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BELIEFS
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Wood, wire, paint, fabric, ribbon, metal charms, marker 19 diameter x 4 inches 2020 Religion, spirituality, intuition, luck . . . 
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FAMILY
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Wood, wire, paint, paper, marker, metal charms, string 20 x 24 x 2.5 inches 2020 The stories of our ancestors, our immediate and chosen families, how we interacted, cared for each other, disagreed, listened . . . the things we have in common, the ways we are different, the generational memories and experiences that live inside us and influence our world views 
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CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES
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Wood, wire, paint, metal charms, wooden beads, suede, fabric,, ribbon, marker 20 x 24 x 2.5 2020 How did we spend time outside of school? In clubs, in sports, learning new skills, community service? What ephemera remains from these times? What marked our progress, our experiences? The wooden beads of Camp Fire Girls, Scout badges, certificates, sashes, medals, charms, photos in yearbooks? 
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GATHERINGS OF FRIENDS
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Wood, metal can, photographs, paint, markers, wire, string, leathers, photographic negatives 20" diameter x 8" deep 2017 Gathering, celebrating, creating food together, entertaining each other . . . these are often our fondest memories 
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FAMILY GATHERINGS
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Wood, metal can, photographs, paint, markers, wire, string, leather, photographic negatives 20" diameter x 8" deep 2017 Gathering, celebrating, creating food together, entertaining each other . . . these are often our fondest memories 
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