Rachel Glen

Making Memory Physical.

My practice is influenced by recollection of my childhood events and dreams. In these events, objects are the most important to me. I attach myself to objects as they pose more significance to the event than the people within them, therefore I find comfort in collecting objects, souvenirs, receipts, train tickets etc, as I am reminded of the event that took place, resulting in the object coming into my possession. 

I can recall significant objects in immense detail; however, I am not able to see faces in these events but instead outlines of figures that still feel familiar and help me identify the individual or characteristic. When I look at an object, I think of how it came to me, did I buy it, was it gifted to me, what is its function and how has it helped me increase my emotional response. It is how I attach significance to the object.

This year I have become intrigued in making memory physical. I wanted to relive these events through a physical process to deeper understand my closeness with repeated objects. Moulding objects from clay allowed for physical experimentation and physical assembly of objects that once combined, form a familiar series of events. 

I have chosen to present my work in a new format, installation. It has been an incredible experience being able to step back into my childhood bedroom and relive my childhood creative process as a now adult.