Re-creation

: the materialisation of autobiographical memory into installation

Abstract

The major focus of my research is the self-analysis of autobiographical childhood memories. My project draws upon autobiographical memories, Phenomenology and Integrative Narrative Identity theories, soft sculpture, sewing and installation to create a visual narrative that blends my past with my present.

Since becoming a parent I feel that I have lost my childhood and that my individuality and self-identity have become unclear. I chose to embark upon this self-reflexive and nostalgic project to enable me to re-connect to my childhood and to acknowledge how the past has influenced my present identity. I attempted this through an investigation of the emotional associations that I have with four of my childhood toys. My self-reflections are physically and psychologically manifested through this project, simultaneously creating order to parts of my self-narrative and allowing greater understanding of my self-identity.

Using a dream and self-reflective journals to guide my creative practice I endeavoured to re-construct my own narrative meaning and bring some clarity to my present understanding of the complex relationships between childhood, motherhood and identity.

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Date of Award	2011
Language	English
Awarding Institution
Supervisor	Simon Cooper (Supervisor) & Andrea Ash (Supervisor)