Paper is both tenacious and vulnerable. Soaking wet, subject to
uncontrolled elements, it weathers, and disintegrates. Dry, folded,
glued, sewed, layered, it becomes stronger with each increase in
layer, much like
life experiences. In this work, I re-created a nightgown from a
1940's Simplicity pattern using tissue paper, sewing and glue, hung on
aircraft cable, onto an old laundry pulley which has been in the
backyard for so long it has become embedded in the tree.
Tissue paper, generally used for wrapping gifts, and filling spaces,
masking the surprise, and covering the items, when made into an
article of clothing reveals the underlying structures through the
translucent material and sunlight. Wafting in the breeze, sagging in
the rain, the paper nightgown will eventually disappear along with its
blissful and deeply tragic narratives.
This work is a response to recent research with my father about his
father who was a medical officer and casualty in Burma during World
War II. The circumstances surrounding his death are referred to as an
atrocity and so the terrain is difficult - through emotional, logical,
and historical information. A very personal, yet unfortunately common
experience of loss through war, the residual effects are still visible
in our family culture. As the ephemera of World War II disappears
along with the first hand voices, the pieces of the story become more
difficult to put together. As an adult however, the process of
researching with my father has helped me understand and connect with
my father.
Myfanwy Ashmore-2012
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