Fié Neo
25
2 January 2021
09.00 am
My Room in the House I Grew up In, Singapore

Hands and warmth, presence in absence

Love I was thinking about what care means for me and reflecting back on the moments I cared for people. My grandmother had brought me up and I'd always remember the warmth of her hands, over my forehead when I was running a fever, rubbing balms on my bruises, patting me to sleep… In caring for others, I realised that so much of that care was learned from what I had received from her. I learned to care for others the way that I was cared for and that came from love. The wearable art pieces I wore were made in response to the grief of losing my grandmother and an attempt to capture the warmth of her hands. There were moments I felt very alone during the pandemic and that made me reflect back on the idea of trying to hug oneself. The embrace is never quite full and the absence of a presence is always felt. These movements are my interpretations of the feelings of care and love.

Love

I was thinking about what care means for me and reflecting back on the moments I cared for people. My grandmother had brought me up and I'd always remember the warmth of her hands, over my forehead when I was running a fever, rubbing balms on my bruises, patting me to sleep… In caring for others, I realised that so much of that care was learned from what I had received from her. I learned to care for others the way that I was cared for and that came from love. The wearable art pieces I wore were made in response to the grief of losing my grandmother and an attempt to capture the warmth of her hands. There were moments I felt very alone during the pandemic and that made me reflect back on the idea of trying to hug oneself. The embrace is never quite full and the absence of a presence is always felt. These movements are my interpretations of the feelings of care and love.

Keywords:

Comfort, Love

Action Words:

Caress, Embrace