acts of dissent, act 1, 2021
30 h' x 20"
edition of 5, 2 A/P

acts of dissent, act 2, 2021
30 h' x 20"
edition of 5, 2 A/P

acts of dissent, act 3, 2021
30 h' x 20"
edition of 5, 2 A/P
 

acts of dissent evolved out of, and follows, the structure of the tongue twister rhyme "she sells sea shells by the sea shore." The rhymical lighthearted tone of the rhyme, negates the physical labour associated with this endeavour. Beyond addressing gendered labour, the ongoing series is positioned within the overlooked politics of care—in this case the shoreline and the water (ocean, river, stream, estuary, fjord...). Consideration was given to conditions of matriarchy, stewardship and healing. At a point in time, with the possibility of no coming back from future environmental disasters, the series ruminates on speculative narratives as gendered acts of dissent in a patriarchal world.

The clam shells were buried by my partner in our garden, not far below the surface as fertilizer for trees and shrubs. Shells provide calcium and nutrients. After close to 15 years, I excavated the shells, finding their beauty deeper and their fragility precarious. 

The text overlaying the shells is meant to be read/performed by the mind, voice and tongue in the same manner as the rhyme. Hence the river or gap between the words and the alignment of the text. The shells are paired—determined by scale and colour.