THINGS LEFT UNSAID

ON THE EDGE OF HER FINGERS

This artwork is a continuation of my work from 2020 titled “Nguntun,” which is based on childhood memories that were starting to fade. As a child, I wasn’t very communicative with my parent. However, one thing I always remember about my childhood is when my mother used to braid my hair every morning. During those moments, my mother and I could interact more closely.

Braiding is one of my childhood memories of daily life interactions with my mother. It resurfaces spontaneously whenever I try to reinterpret the definition of ‘human interaction’. Braiding hair holds a deeply personal significance for me. Whether it’s between my mother and me, or me and someone else, when we braid our hair, we touch one of the most intimate parts of our bodies. Fingers will remember the texture and sensation of touching the hair. The process of making a braid can also be recorded into our memory through our fingers.

This piece aims to open up some meories and spark discussions related to the act of hair braiding during its display. It is designed to evolve and potentially change over time during its exhibiton, allowing it to continuously grow in significance.