talang-alaala:memoir

Gabrielle ligon
industrial design honours | western sydney University

“Home symbolises the memories shared withf amily and friends, embodying the wisdom and love passed downby our elders, grounded in the teachings of our ancestors.”

MATERIALS: clay

Artist Statement

talang-alaala: memoir -isa collection of delicate abstract clay sculptures representing memories of the past captured in the moment. The earth and soils of our lands holds stories and history. Using brown clay isanode to the memories and experiences of the past, while contributing something of the present to inherit. “Having a piece of myself displayed for people to experience feels very vulnerable. However,I have trust that people will handle me with care and respect wherever I go, just as how I made my memories with Country.

Synopsis 

Talang-Alaala: Memoir is a series of delicate sculptures in abstract forms, crafted from brown clay. Each piece represents a moment I have recollected, experienced, or felt. The work captures the essence of ‘cloud watching’ —fleeting yet profound, ever-shifting in nature. When touched, these forms evoke personal memories, reminding the audience of moments in their own lives, as the shapes and textures resonate with their individual experiences. Inspired by the practice of Oral History across cultures, Talang-Alaala: Memoir reflects the passing down of stories and memories from ancestors, shaping future generations. The clay used in this work is influenced by AboriginalDreaming and Storylines. While some stories may be lost in translation, it is a reminder that we all come from Country, and that Country will always remember us. The Earth’s soil is our library, and through this work, I hope to contribute a piece of myself to the larger story of history