The year was 2017 when she decided it was time to leave. "Of natural causes", one could say. I know she just had to. I had been preparing for that at least one year prior and yet, when the time came, my entire world went upside down. Funny how by making her body absent of this Earth, she managed to bring so much revolution and transformation. Makes me aware that there's way more to a being than its shell - life goes way beyond the chronological time through which someone had their heart beating on this planet. MEMORY IS A LIVING THING talks about exactly that. I would not be able to tell you where to set the boundaries between her and I. Who would know where I end, where she begins? Everything is mixed up in a beautifully crafted mess between a mom and her daughter. The words that spill out of my mouth so often - are they really my own? The way I move into the world, the patterns I get myself into and even the way I smile - are they just me? I don't know how to tell you but I strongly feel that life itself is bigger than the packages we are put in while here. That's because I feel her living through me every day: either through my memories or my imagination. And after all, there's one thing left: so much gratitude for how everything unfolded.
This is a very personal piece, made as a gift for her 61st birthday (and 4th of her passage). The words written on the background are parts of the songs "Mãe" (Emicida) and "Dona Cila" and "Em Paz" (Maria Gadú) that I would listen to on loop when grieving.
This is an original piece, made by artist Elisa Rezende.
- Mixed media (acrylic, spray, posca and collage) on canvas.
- 78,5 x 119 cm.
- Unique artwork.
- Made in Lisbon, Portugal. Shipping worldwide.
Signed by the artist
©Elisa Rezende 2022
