This little book has been transformative over the course of this term. It contains a series of texts on materiality, assemblage, family structures, relationships, ownership and more, with an overarching look at rethinking human relationships themselves, but also those with materials and objects. It has introduced me to a new way of looking at things, literally, considering the importance of the presence of objects and materials around me not as hollow things, but ones that carry significance and identity. The texts are nicely peppered with different works by artist Clementine Edwards, who co-edited the book as well. Edwards’ work takes form as a series of miniature material assemblages, a collage of various materials and fragments from different origins, all of which are meaningful
One of my favourite texts so far has been Ada M. Patterson’s Accessories to This Love: Elegies for Some of the Things I Have Worn and Loved which addresses in first person, pieces of jewellery that are/have been dear to the author. These elegies write about both the material construction of the pieces as well as the metaphysical relationship they have with the author. Ultimately, it is a piece of gratitude towards these objects.
This way of writing has struck a chord with me and I have tried to embody some of it within my own practice, and return to a focus on writing as a means of enquiry and self-expression within visual work.
Fittingly perhaps, I was gifted The Material Kinship Reader on Eid by a friend who was visiting from the Netherlands. Thus, it will always be dear to me.