Remembering the Matriarch

In our modern quest for gender equality, the intricate tapestries of women's roles within families and communities intertwine to shape our collective narrative.

Remembering the Matriarch is a creative exploration through photography, poetry, and short stories that delve into the essence of matriarchy.

Through these artistic expressions, I seek to evoke memories that resonate within us, linking our individual stories and weaving a shared fabric of connection.

Using art-based research methods, I drew on prompts from Liz Lerman’s Atlas of Creative Tools—including “I Come From…” and “He Said, She Said…” to explore the links between memory, language, and embodied expression.

I recorded an interview with my mother recalling a childhood memory, watching closely for the spontaneous gestures that surfaced as she spoke. By mimicking and slowing down these movements, then pairing them with spoken word, I transformed everyday gestures into choreography.

This practice honors the beauty of unconscious movement while weaving together story, memory, and embodied research.

She said, "I love you." She said, “Dance pretty.” She said, “Pick me up at Bingo!" She said my dad was the boss, whatever he said, she agreed. She said, “OH, OH, OH.” She said she would never leave. She said, “I don’t know, taste it.” She said, “Are you hungry?” She said, “Wait until your father gets home.” She said, "Stay close to me when we cross the street." She said, “Now we eat.” She said, “You go by my rules until you move out.” She said, “Oh you.” She whispered, "Baby."

She said, "I love you." She said, “Dance pretty.” She said, “Pick me up at Bingo!" She said my dad was the boss, whatever he said, she agreed. She said, “OH, OH, OH.” She said she would never leave. She said, “I don’t know, taste it.” She said, “Are you hungry?” She said, “Wait until your father gets home.” She said, "Stay close to me when we cross the street." She said, “Now we eat.” She said, “You go by my rules until you move out.” She said, “Oh you.” She whispered, "Baby."

A professor once told me, “To do meaningful research, you must first know where you come from.” That wisdom became the foundation of my work and inspired me to look closely at my own family history.

Raised in a multi-generational Italian American household, I saw how the women—especially my great-grandmother, who emigrated from Italy—shaped our values, traditions, and family identity. Their strength, wisdom, and caregiving sparked my research into how matriarchs wield influence and authority within patriarchal systems, revealing the powerful role of women in shaping cultural and social life.

Within the delicate contours of small writing prompts, revelations often emerge—some gently illuminating, others poignant and challenging. Through Intimate group workshops, the veil over our memories is lifted, revealing profound layers beneath.

In this communal exchange, we create a tapestry of ancestry, holding space for each other to introspect and share, guided by tender understanding and compassionate hearts as we turn our words into poetic reflections of memory.

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