WINNER - Rookwood Students Award
The Rhythm of Lamentation (2022)
Ceramic, resin and wires
The Rhythm Of Lamentation
This artwork explores the cycle of grief.
Tears are shed, and memories are shared.
They sway in the breeze and can be heard from afar.
These tears fall into a fountain that collects the grief and sorrow,
then the water gives life to new growth.
This artwork is a testimony to our collective loves and losses.
About the Artist
Cabramatta High School is on Dharug Country.
Teachers: Belinda Kyprianou, Sandra van Dyk, Bethaney Waters and Tan Nguyen
Students: Andy Sofyan Majeed Al Banaa, Will Baverstock, Ngoc Diem Quynh Bui, Ellie Carmady, Tiare Castro, Kim Trang Dang, Lyn Duong, Prayer Mataio, Tamia Ngo, Charlynne Nguyen, Ha Thi Nguyen, Ngoc Tu Tran (Trista) Nguyen, Christian Nissan, Amy Pham, Fadi Sakoo, Jaylan Sammut, Hawa Sengu, Basel Shamou, Ofa Tamale, Dang Thao Ngoc Tran, Thu Vu, Karen Vuong, Isabelle Wakley, Dalen Alkes Hanna, Chhay Kim Ang, Stephanie Guan, My Huynh, Sulaeman Fadi Jallad, Worship Kailea, Elie Kashi, Carter Krich, Monica Le, Thida Oum, Kitana Pham, Natalie Pham, Champathorng Phar, Sodaneth San, Vundara Sivilay, Lesina Soolefai, Leata Annie Tagoai, Onel Tamoo, Vivian Tieu, Phong Tran, Eliza Ung, Media Maher Butrus Zoori.
Transcription
Hi, my name is Eliza and my name is Katana. We are year ten visual arts students from Cabramatta High School. The artwork we have created is called The Rhythm of Lamentation which represents the ongoing cycle of grief and sorrow.
As a class, the ceramic installation we created describes tears suspended from tree branches, which symbolises grief, loss and lament. The main part of this artwork is the fountain, which collects the tears that represent collective grief. The flowers at the bottom of the fountain symbolises grief, growth, hope, and renewal that comes with life. Before we began creating this piece, we discussed loss and grief as a class. We then explored the website and past HIDDEN works for inspiration. We started by creating several ceramic clouds each. We then, make ceramic tears, which have our memories and our understanding of grief visually represented on them. Then we had a group of students working on constructing the ceramic fountain. To finalise our work, we added various colours and glazes.
This artwork refers to the HIDDEN exhibition, as the installation explores the cycle of grief and loss that is common across all cultures, ages and belief. We created this piece to acknowledge that grief and loss, but also to remind others that with that grief and loss comes hope and renewal. We all want the viewers to take away from the artwork that we all experience loss and grief. We all lament. No one person is alone in this. There is also hope and growth from the loss. Life goes on and our memories comfort us.