Handkerchief

The Handkerchief is a contemplative work that uses repetition, pattern, and fragility to explore memory, care, and emotional inheritance. Arranged in a linear sequence, the individual cloth-like forms echo the everyday function of a handkerchief—an object associated with wiping, holding, and absorbing moments of vulnerability such as sweat, tears, or breath.
The surface patterns draw from Akan visual language, where symbols and geometric rhythms carry layered meanings of identity, communication, and continuity. Each handkerchief appears similar yet distinct, suggesting individuality within collectivity—how shared cultural experiences are carried differently by each person. The suspended or gently mounted presentation gives the impression of lightness and intimacy, reinforcing the personal nature of the object.
Conceptually, the work speaks to what is quietly passed down: gestures of care, unspoken histories, and emotional labour. In the context of migration and displacement, The Handkerchief becomes a metaphor for holding onto memory—something small enough to be folded and carried, yet heavy with meaning. The artwork transforms a modest, domestic object into a vessel of remembrance, resilience, and cultural tenderness