Thursday 21 August 2008

Katie Lunnon - 'Evelyn Florence'

This project reflects upon the power of an inanimate object to carry memories throughout and beyond its existence and how, when even after its destruction, its memories continue and remain strong. 

Although an individual may pass away, the objects associated with them remain forever a trace of their life. The objects are isolated against a white background creating a metaphor for the conditions in which my great grandmother isolated herself for 15 years in her flat as she became ill, infirm and immobile.

Now in the process of dying, her objects have been removed, destroyed or disappeared during the clearance of her home which is to be sold to fund nursing home care.

The memories attached to these salvaged objects will never fade, will always hold strong enduring reminders of her life. Memories will replace what is destroyed and thrown away.


Ruler - 1939, 'My Father was a Master Builder. He trained as a carpenter/joiner and worked in London as a Quantity Surveyor for many years. In his 40s, when he had enough experience and contacts he started his own building company and became a Master Builder, building many houses in Twickenham. These houses are still standing and lived into this day, evidence of true quality craftsmanship. Note the imperial, not metric, measurements used during his career and era'. - Evelyn Florence


Brush - 1950, 'Father kept this brush in the hall stand of our family home in Strawberry Hill Twickenham. It was neatly tucked away after every use in the hall-stand drawer. My father used it to brush his hair specifically over to the right hand side, meticulously, every time before he left the house. He would stare into the hall mirror over the wooden chest. - Evelyn Florence


Coupons - 1956, 'This ration book belonged to my husband and myself. It was ussued during the Suez Crisis in 1956, when ships carrying fuel were unable to gain access to the shortcut through the Suez canal Ships had to travel the long way around carrying fuel and this could take months, hence the rationing of fuel. Coupons were allocated according to your profession. My husband worked for Sir Robert Mc Alpine and owned a Standard 10 car. As my husband worked away from home, and I could not drive, the fuel tokens went unused. Any fuel we did use was paid for by Sir Robert Mc Alpine'. - Evelyn Florence


Kaite Lunnon can be contacted at, kjtlunnon@hotmail.com

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