Fa'amoemoe – Hope
Joy Le Mamea
Pod Gallery
5th-29th March 2025
Opening – Friday, 7th March. 5-7pm

"Grief is a deeply personal and complex journey for many individuals. Lamentation serves as a heartfelt expression of sorrow, free from any timeline, echoing the profound impact of loss. Death leaves an indelible mark, altering us in ways both visible and hidden.  
 
Fa'amoemoe is a significant body of work that explores the delicate process of letting go as a pathway to healing. It draws inspiration from Siapo, the intricate traditional Samoan bark cloth, and the transformative therapeutic art practice of "taking it to the wall," to unpack the complexities of grief.
 
Through a reimagined approach to Siapo, the artworks create a space to contemplate the sometimes-abrasive changes that arise from loss, bridging the past, present, and future.  Rich in symbolism and incorporating gathering rituals, the marks and motifs in the work reflect links to both Orcadian and Samoan heritage. The innovative use of everyday items for mark-making, derived from traditional Siapo patterns, transforms domestic household items into tools for releasing sorrow. 
 
Ultimately these artworks serve as a powerful invitation- a call to witness a journey from despair to hope. They weave together artistic methods, spiritual rituals, and cultural practices, as mediums for healing and introspection.
 
Each piece stands as a lasting legacy preserving family stories that inspire future generations with encouragement and hope."