Turtle Shell

Air dry clay, text, 40 x 8 x 66 cm (each), 2024

The artwork draws inspiration from the historical use of turtle shells in recording significant information, and is crafted from air-dry clay infused with text fragments. These fragments, embedded within the clay, disrupt the shell's natural form, creating an appearance of erosion and wear.

Traditionally, turtle shells were used to document important events and beliefs, serving as a medium to pass down cultural values and historical insights to future generations. This practice highlights the way symbols and objects have been used to preserve and transmit cultural knowledge.

However, as we reflect on these symbolic inscriptions, it prompts us to question how our interpretations of symbols may evolve over time. Even though the physical objects and their inscriptions remain the same, our understanding of them can change.

Can culture, faith, and tradition truly be preserved as we perceive them? While the symbols themselves may endure, their meanings are not fixed. They adapt and evolve with time, influenced by changing contexts and evolving understandings. This suggests that the attempt to capture permanent meanings in a world of continuous change may be inherently limited.